Jeffrey Donaldson wrote letter to alleged victim expressing regret for 'hurt, pain and distress'

Donaldson, 63, is on trial at Newry Crown Court accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court, where he and his wife Eleanor Donaldson are accused of historical sexual offences. 

Jeffrey Donaldson wrote a letter to a woman who has accused him of sexually abusing her as a child expressing “regret” for “all the hurt, pain and distress I have caused”, his trial has heard.

The woman told the court that she had thought the letter was an attempt by the former DUP leader “to apologise for perhaps the abuse which had occurred”.