NEWRY, Northern Ireland, Sept 10 (Askume) – Former Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Geoffrey Donaldson pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 18 charges relating to historical offences, including one count of rape.
Newry Crown Court said his trial would begin on March 24.
Donaldson, one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent politicians, abruptly resigned as leader of the British region’s largest unionist party in March after the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland said it had made historical allegations against him.
The charges include 13 counts of child abuse and four counts of aggravated child abuse. The charges relate to two complainants and the incidents allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008.
Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape, at a hearing on Tuesday.
