Trial of Northern Ireland's Jeffrey Donaldson delayed again

BELFAST (Reuters) -The trial of former Northern Ireland politician Jeffrey Donaldson for historical sex offences has been delayed for a second time and will likely not take place until next year, a court heard on Monday.

The trial of the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and his wife Eleanor was delayed from March until November 3 after the court heard that Eleanor was unwell.

The Public Prosecution Service told Newry Crown Court on Monday it was waiting for additional details from Eleanor's medical assessment.

The court will sit again on November 13 and the trial will likely not take place until next year, Judge Paul Ramsey said.

Donaldson, once one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians, stepped down suddenly as head of the region's largest unionist party in March last year after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include one count of rape, 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.

Eleanor Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; Editing by Conor Humphries and Janet Lawrence)

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