A sex abuse trial involving former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is underway at Newry Crown Court, where he faces 18 charges, including one count of rape; he denies all allegations. Across multiple days of evidence, the prosecution presents testimony from two alleged victims. One witness describes a disclosure to her that she says made her react as if “a bomb went off,” and the jury hears that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson allegedly asked a complainant to “forgive him.” Another alleged victim gives evidence and police previously interviewed her about the alleged rape. The trial also includes accounts from other witnesses, including a pastor who tells the court it was “obvious” who the alleged abuser was. Lady Eleanor Donaldson, his wife, is also before the court. She is not on a full criminal trial, after a judge rules she is unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds; she instead faces a trial of the facts. The court hears allegations that she did nothing when told of an abuse allegation involving her husband, and she denies several charges of aiding and abetting the alleged offending. The charges relate to incidents spanning 1985 to 2008, involving the two alleged victims.