In response to 18 past sex crimes, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson entered a not guilty plea, reports The Mirror.
During an arraignment hearing at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday, his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, and co-accused, entered a not guilty plea to three counts.
They had previously been before magistrates twice, but this was their first appearance before the crown court, reports The Mirror.
The trial was set for March 24 of the following year.
Donaldson, 61, stood throughout the brief court appearance and pronounced himself “not guilty” when each allegation was read to him, reports The Mirror.
He faces one rape accusation, four counts of gross indecency, and thirteen counts of indecent assault.
The accusations cover the years 1985 to 2008, reports The Mirror.
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