Eleanor Donaldson: What is a trial of the facts? (opens original article in a new tab)

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of 18 child sex abuse charges, while his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faced a trial of the facts, leading to her not being found guilty but being deemed to have committed the acts. The trial of the facts process allows determining if acts were committed without conviction, and does not permit prison sentences.

• Sir Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of 18 child sex abuse charges, including rape.
• Lady Eleanor Donaldson faced five charges but was not found guilty due to a trial of the facts mechanism.
• A trial of the facts determines if acts were committed without convicting the accused, and cannot result in a prison sentence.