Eleanor Donaldson ruled unfit to stand trial in historical sexual offences case

Lady Eleanor Donaldson, the wife of the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been ruled unfit to stand trial on historical sexual offences.

Judge Paul Ramsey made the ruling at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday after hearing medical evidence.

The judge told the court: “I am satisfied that upon the totality of the evidence presented I will determine that Eleanor Donaldson is unfit to be tried.”

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is now set to face a trial of the facts – a process that tests the evidence in the case but cannot result in her being criminally convicted.

A trial of facts is a provision under the 1986 Mental Health Order allowing for the evidence to be put before a jury. The accused does not take part in the proceedings and can not be found guilty. Instead, the jury is asked to determine if they committed the offence. And although they can not be convicted, they can be acquitted.

The judge heard further legal submissions during Wednesday’s hearing on whether that trial of the facts should run alongside the trial of her husband Jeffrey Donaldson or as separate proceedings at a different time.

He is due to rule on that point on Thursday.

Neither Jeffrey nor Eleanor Donaldson were present in court for the ruling. They were not required to attend.

Prior to Wednesday’s proceedings, the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, had been listed to start on May 26.

He has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson has denied charges of aiding and abetting.

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