The former DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, is set to face the Crown Court over allegations of historical sexual offences.
Donaldson (61) alongside his wife Eleanor Donaldson (58), from Dromore, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court this morning (Wednesday) for a preliminary enquiry (PE) – the legal process through which a case is referred to the higher court.
Donaldson stands accused of 18 charges – one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards and child and 13 counts of indecent assault on a female on dates between 1985 and 2008.
Eleanor Donaldson faces five charges – that of abetting rape, cruelty to a person under 16 and three counts of aiding and abetting indecent assault.
At the outset of the brief hearing, the pair were asked to confirm their names and dates of birth, before a lawyer for the prosecution told the court that on the basis of the papers there was a prima facie case to answer.
They confirmed they were aware of the charges against them and when asked if they wished to say anything in answer to the charges, declined, with Jeffrey Donaldson stating, “not at this stage”.
Satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, the Judge released the defendants on their existing bail conditions and adjourned the case to Newry Crown Court for arraignment on September 10.
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