Options for judge after Eleanor Donaldson trial of the facts

A number of options are available to a judge in place of a conventional sentence for Eleanor Donaldson, who was found by a jury this week to have aided and abetted her husband Jeffrey Donaldson’s sex offending.

The judge at Newry Crown Court could issue a number of treatment orders or else an absolute discharge.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty on Monday of 18 sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape.

The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, had faced a trial of the facts after being found medically unable to participate in the trial.

The process tested the evidence but could not result in a criminal conviction.

While she was not present in court, she was legally represented and her barrister Ian Turkington KC cross-examined the two victims and made legal submissions.

She had faced a number of charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending and the jury found that she “did the acts”.

While Jeffrey Donaldson was warned he is facing a “lengthy” prison term when he is sentenced later in the year, his wife could instead face a treatment order.

The judge Paul Ramsey could impose a medical order as set out by the relevant legislation.

These are designed to protect the public in circumstances where it is required.

This could include being committed to hospital, being subject to a guardianship order or subject to a supervision and treatment order.

If none of those are required, the defendant would be absolutely discharged.