LAST UPDATE | 10 Sep

FORMER DUP LEADER Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 historical charges of sexual abuse and is expected to go on trial in March of next year. 

Donaldson and his wife Eleanor appeared before Newry Crown Court this morning. 

They sat separated by court custody officers at the back of the room.

Jeffrey Donaldson leaned in towards the microphone and forcefully said “not guilty” when asked to deliver his plea.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson pleaded not guilty to three charges and is challenging two under a “no bill application” and seeking to have them withdrawn. 

There will be a review in six weeks time on 25 October, which neither will attend, and a trial is expected to take place beginning on 24 March.

The trial is expected to last two weeks and both have been released on continuing bail.

Donaldson was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March. 

He was initially charged with 11 historical offences, but following a review of an evidence file by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), faces 18 charges.

He is accused of one charge of rape, four of gross indecency and 13 charges of indecent assault. The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008.

His wife Eleanor faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. The number of charges she faces also increased upon review from four to five.

There are two alleged victims.

At a hearing in Newry on 3 July, Judge Eamonn King said he was “satisfied there is a prime facie case to answer”.

At the 3 July hearing, legal representatives for Donaldson and his wife said there were no “contrary submissions at this stage”.
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