The former DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has pleaded not guilty to a string of historical sex offences – including rape.
As well as a charge of rape, the 61-year-old ex-Lagan Valley MP is set to face trial on four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.
The offences are alleged to have happened between 1985 and 2008.
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 58, has also pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding and abetting between 1987 and 2008 in connection with the alleged offences.
The pair sat together in the dock during the short hearing before His Honour Judge John Ramsay KC in Newry Crown Court earlier on Tuesday.
A trial date has been set for March 2025 but there will be reviews into the progress of the case before then, with the first of those to take place on October 25.
The pair were released on continuing bail.
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