Jeffrey Donaldson facing more historical sex charges when he appears in Newry courthouse on July 3

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/jeffrey-donaldson-facing-more-historical-sex-charges/a1198466266.html

The number of sex charges that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is facing has increased.
Donaldson will face 18 charges relating to sexual abuse allegations when he appears in court in Newry tomorrow.
That is an increase of seven alleged offences since his last appearance.

The former DUP leader and his wife Eleanor will appear in court for a preliminary enquiry (PE) on Wednesday, when they will be asked to enter a plea to the charges for the first time.
The Donaldsons’ court appearance comes the day before Northern Ireland goes to the polls.

Donaldson formerly faced 11 charges relating to two female complainants. They were by way of police charge.
As is normal in such circumstances, those charges have since been reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service, and more have been added.

Sources familiar with the legal system explained that when a suspect is initially charged by police, those charges are reviewed and approved by the PPS prior to the first appearance and prior to a prosecution decision by the PPS.
In many cases these approved police charges will not be the final charges if and when a decision to prosecute is taken.

It is understood that the decision on whether to prosecute in this case, including the number and choice of charges, was ultimately for the PPS.

Jeffrey Donaldson: Chaotic scenes as ex-DUP leader and wife appear in court charged with historic sex offences
In this case, the PPS subsequently received an evidence file from police which has been carefully considered.
The updated charges reflect the final decisions on the full number and nature of charges which have now been taken by the PPS.

Jeffrey Donaldson (61) was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March. Eleanor Donaldson was also arrested at the same time for related offences.
He stood down as DUP leader the following day and was replaced by Gavin Robinson.

The PPS have now reviewed the case and charged Jeffrey Donaldson with 18 offences. They will be put to him when he appears at Newry Magistrates Court tomorrow and the original 11 allegations withdrawn at the same time.
The charges span a time period from 1985 to 2008 and involve two female complainants.

They include one count of rape, four allegations of gross indecency and 13 allegations of indecent assault.
Eleanor Donaldson faces four charges relating to two female complainants dating back to 1985.

They include a charge that she did ”abet, counsel and procure the commission” of an alleged rape and one count of abetting in relation to an alleged indecent assault.
The couple have been bailed to separate addresses since they were arrested and charged.
Eleanor Donaldson (58) has been bailed to the family’s Dromore home, whereas the former MP has been on bail to an address in London.

Both must appear in person at Newry Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
They are both expected to arrive separately before 10am for a hearing that will take place shortly after 10.30am.
A PE is a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send a defendant for trial in the higher Crown Court.

The PE date was fixed when the case against Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson was briefly mentioned at Newry court last month.

At the same time it was confirmed by his solicitor John McBurney outside the court that Jeffrey Donaldson, who had served as Lagan Valley MP for 27 years, would not be standing for re-election.
Neither accused has appeared in court since the chaotic scenes at their first appearance in April.
The PSNI later said they were investigating a number of people for alleged contempt and assault, after a police officer was spat on during a scrum outside the court as Jeffrey Donaldson left to be driven away following his court appearance.

There is expected to a heavy police presence at the court tomorrow to prevent a repeat of the previous scenes.
Both defendants are expected to enter not guilty pleas at which stage the case will be sent to the Crown Court and a date set for trial in front of a jury.