Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and wife's sex abuse court cases to be heard at same time

A judge has ruled that a trial of facts against Lady Eleanor Donaldson will happen as part of the trial of her husband, the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

It will begin next Tuesday with jury selection at Newry Crown Court.

The couple have pleaded not guilty to a combined 23 sex abuse charges involving two alleged victims.

Judge Paul Ramsey's decision followed legal argument on whether the cases should be split and heard separately at different points in time.

However, he decided they would happen "simultaneously".

On Wednesday Judge Ramsey declared Lady Donaldson unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.

Instead, she will face what is known as a trial of facts, which occurs when a defendant cannot be tried because of serious ill-health.

Unlike a normal trial, in a trial of facts, a jury cannot find the person guilty – instead it determines if they committed the alleged offences.

Although they cannot be convicted, they can be acquitted.

The procedure is set out under Article 49A of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

The defendant, while represented by lawyers, plays no part in proceedings.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims.

Lady Donaldson denies five charges relating to aiding and abetting his alleged offending.