Woman charged over anonymity breach in Jeffrey Donaldson case

A woman has been charged with breaching the anonymity of the victims in the case of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Donaldson was convicted earlier this summer of historical child sex abuse offences spanning a period between 1985 and 2008.

Last week, his solicitor John McBurney confirmed that he will be seeking to appeal the convictions.

A PSNI statement on Wednesday read: "Detectives from Newry Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigating a breach of anonymity concerning a recent high-profile court case have charged a woman to court.

"The 55-year-old was arrested in the Ballynahinch area on Tuesday 28th July, and has been charged with a breach of a lifetime ban on reporting the identity of alleged victims.

"She is due to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24th August.

"As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service."

The two victims at the centre of the Donaldson trial were referred to as Complainant A and Complainant B.

63 year-old Donaldson is being held at Maghaberry Prison awaiting sentencing. In the aftermath of his conviction, he asked to be removed from the Privy Council and for his knighthood to be forfeited.