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Ex-leader of Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party faces sex offense charges dating to 1985
Ap ^ | April 24, 2024 | AP

Posted on 04/24/2024 10:54:10 AM PDT by JSM_Liberty

The former leader of Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party was jeered as he left court Wednesday following his appearance on sexual abuse charges dating back nearly four decades.

Some members of the public shouted at Jeffrey Donaldson and lunged toward him, and he had to be surrounded by police as he left Newry Magistrates’ Court following his first appearance since his arrest last month.

Donaldson, 61, faces one charge of rape, a single charge of gross indecency and nine indecent assault charges dating from 1985 to 2006.

His wife, Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, 58, faces four counts of aiding and abetting the alleged crimes.

The two did not enter pleas during a brief appearance together in court. They spoke only to confirm their names, birth dates and to acknowledge they understood the charges. They were released on bail. Donaldson resigned as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, after he was arrested on March 28.

In a letter to party leaders, Donaldson said he would be “strenuously contesting” the charges.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the arrest followed a complaint about old offenses made in early March. The charges involve two alleged victims.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: ireland; justice; uk
More detail here

Jeffrey Donaldson: Chaotic scenes as ex-DUP leader and wife appear in court charged with historic sex offences
1 posted on 04/24/2024 10:54:10 AM PDT by JSM_Liberty
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To: JSM_Liberty

39 years ago.

Whats the statute of limitation?


2 posted on 04/24/2024 10:58:07 AM PDT by Red6
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To: JSM_Liberty

They couldn’t find a crime he committed in 1960?


3 posted on 04/24/2024 10:59:35 AM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Red6

“Whats the statute of limitation?”

There isn’t one if you’re politically unpopular with the ruling elites.


4 posted on 04/24/2024 11:01:17 AM PDT by MeganC ("Russians are subhuman" - posted by Kazan 8 March 2024)
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To: Red6

“nine indecent assault charges dating from 1985 to 2006. “


5 posted on 04/24/2024 11:04:37 AM PDT by JSM_Liberty
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To: Vendome

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/24/jeffrey-donaldson-court-charged-rape-assault-gross-indecency-dup

“The rape charge alleges Donaldson had unlawful sexual intercourse with the alleged victim without her consent on a date unknown between 1985 and 1991. Nine allegations of indecent assault span 1985 to 2006. He is also charged with committing an act of gross indecency towards a child between 2005 and 2006.”


6 posted on 04/24/2024 11:06:44 AM PDT by JSM_Liberty
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To: JSM_Liberty

Hard to believe…oh, wait, his name isn’t Trump is it?


7 posted on 04/24/2024 11:22:23 AM PDT by immadashell (Save Innocent Lives: Ban Gun Free Zones)
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To: Red6

There is no statute of limitation in UK criminal law.


8 posted on 04/24/2024 11:38:02 AM PDT by Winniesboy
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To: Winniesboy

No Statute- amazing. Said to be no limitations for those cases above what are called summary offenses (before a magistrate).

The proliferation of high-profile historic sex abuse cases have raised debate about whether the UK should introduce a statute of limitation for sexual assault. This was quite a few years ago, and one wonders what physical evidence would even have been preserved this long if it ever existed.


9 posted on 04/24/2024 12:03:12 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: John S Mosby

Indeed.

Where were YOU between the hours of 1:00 AM and 3:30 AM on the morning of March 15, 1981? Hmmm??? You don’t remember ... Are your sure your weren’t in the alley behind Paddy’s Pub raping this poor innocent young girl? Hmmmm??? Can you PROVE it???


10 posted on 04/24/2024 12:09:02 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: JSM_Liberty

“A date unknown between 1985 and 1991”. Incontrovertible and solid case the prosecution has there...


11 posted on 04/24/2024 10:12:19 PM PDT by sinsofsolarempirefan
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