Jeffrey Donaldson pleads not guilty to 18 charges
The former DUP leader's wife Eleanor pleaded not guilty to three charges.
Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), pleaded not guilty today to 18 charges related to historical sex offences, including one count of rape.
His trial will begin on March 24th next year, Newry Crown Court heard.
Donaldson, one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, stepped down suddenly as head of the DUP in March after the party said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature.
The charges include 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency towards a child. The charges relate to two complainants and the events allegedly took place between 1985 and 2008.
Donaldson's wife Eleanor pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape, during today's hearing.
Eleanor Donaldson leaves Newry Courthouse today. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
(Reporting via Reuters, by Amanda Ferguson; Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Alex Richardson)
