Date set for review of Jeffrey Donaldson sex offences case

A judge has set a date for a review of the sex offences case involving the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Lady Donaldson. The judge told Newry Crown Court that it would be reviewed on 5 May, which gave "three weeks before the trial". A trial date was previously fixed for 26 May. The couple deny a combined 23 charges, which are alleged to have been committed between 1985 and 2008. Sir Jeffrey, 63, is accused of 18 offences, including one count of rape. Lady Donaldson, 59, faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting. The pair, who were arrested and charged in March 2024, were not required to attend the hearing today. The judge said they will not be required to attend the review on 5 May. The former DUP leader was found guilty of 18 counts of child sex abuse, including one of rape, in June. The "scoping exercise" was launched by the Northern Ireland Civil Service last month. The former MP was convicted in June of 18 counts of sex abuse including one count of rape, which he committed against two women when they were children. The 63-year-old was not present at the review hearing at Newry Crown Court. A review by the assembly int