A judge has ruled that a trial of facts for the wife of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson will take place as part of his trial on sexual offences charges.
Eleanor Donaldson has denied five charges including aiding and abetting her husband, who has denied 18 charges including one count of rape.
Judge Paul Ramsey ruled yesterday that Ms Donaldson is unfit to face a criminal trial because of mental health issues.
She will instead face a "trial of facts" with a jury asked to determine if she committed the offences, but she cannot be found guilty or go to jail.
In a ruling at Newry Magistrates’ Court this morning, the judge accepted an application by the Public Prosecution Service for the trials to be concurrent.
He rejected an application from Jeffrey Donaldson’s legal team for the processes to be separated and to run as two trials.
That means the couple will stand trial together in front of the same jury, but the potential outcomes are different.
The trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection next Tuesday.
Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges including one of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 charges of indecent assault.
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