The trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson at Newry Crown Court heard evidence that a woman who alleges abuse told a pastor she did not report it because it would destroy her abuser’s political reputation.

Donaldson, 63, denies 18 charges including rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency between 1985 and 2008 involving two complainants. His wife Eleanor Donaldson, 60, faces five aiding and abetting charges and is subject to a trial of the facts after being deemed unfit to stand trial.

On Friday, the jury watched a police video interview with Pastor Stephen Matthews, who was too unwell to attend. Matthews said he encountered Complainant B at the Christian Family Centre in Armoy during a youth visit in the 1990s. She was emotionally distressed and disclosed she had been abused from a very young age.

Matthews told officers that the woman indicated her alleged abuser was advancing in the Official Unionist Party, had worked as an assistant to a previous MP, and was in line for a parliamentary seat. She stated that making a report would ‘destroy their political reputation’ and that she did not want that.

Although he could not recall whether she named the individual, Matthews said it ‘became obvious’ she was referring to Donaldson, who was then a rising figure in the party.

Matthews then referred Complainant B to David and Linda Hoy, who ran the centre, for counselling. The Hoys later gave evidence about a meeting they arranged with Donaldson.

David Hoy testified that he contacted Donaldson and organised a gathering at the Hoys’ home on 27 January 1997. Donaldson, Complainant B, and the two hosts were present. Hoy said Donaldson began by acknowledging he knew what it concerned, apologising, and requesting forgiveness.

The witness described the complainant as upset and said she forgave him. When asked if she wished to take the matter further, she declined. No specific allegations were discussed.

Linda Hoy gave a similar account. Under cross-examination, defence barrister Kieran Vaughan proposed that the complainant had said she was sometimes uncomfortable in the relationship and that Donaldson had said he was sorry if that were so. David Hoy could not recall that exchange but accepted it might have occurred.

Earlier, Laura Claire Selfridge, daughter of the Hoys, told the court she had a conversation with Complainant B when both were teenagers. B told her she had been abused but did not use the word ‘sexual’. Selfridge said she was shocked. When she telephoned B’s mother to relay the disclosure, the mother laughed and accused B of fabrication. Selfridge said she never discussed the matter again.

The trial continues.