A HEARING TO establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to trial on historical sex charges will take place on 3 July, a judge has confirmed.

The timing of the committal proceedings, known as a preliminary inquiry, was fixed when the case against Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates’ Court today.

Neither of the accused was in court for the short hearing but both will have to appear in person on 3 July.

Lawyers for both accused and a barrister for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service all confirmed to District Judge Eamonn King that they would be ready for the committal proceedings to he heard on that date.

Donaldson, 61, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.

He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.

His wife, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.