Jury in Donaldson trial to resume deliberations on Monday

The jury in the Jeffrey Donaldson sex offences trial has been sent home for the weekend.

The five women and seven men have been deliberating for more than seven hours, over two days.

Judge Paul Ramsey told them to return next week.

He said that after a lengthy period of consideration it was appropriate that the jurors stop and return on Monday.

They are deciding whether the former DUP leader should be convicted or acquitted of 18 offences, including one of rape.

The allegations have been made by two complainants who claim that he abused them as children.

Mr Donaldson denies the charges.

The alleged offences span the years 1985 to 2008.

The jury is also being asked to decide whether his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, committed acts that she has been accused of.

She is a co-defendant in the case but is subject to a non-criminal process due to concerns about her mental health.

Ms Donaldson is accused of five charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending. She has also denied the charges.

She cannot be found guilty, but can be found to have committed the acts on the charge sheet.

She can also be acquitted.