Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to Stand Trial on 18 Counts of Sexual Offenses Londonderry, Northern Ireland – Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been charged with 18 counts of sexual offenses, including rape and indecent assault. The charges relate to allegations spanning a period from 1985 to 1997 and involve nine separate victims. Donaldson, who is 64 years old, has denied all allegations. The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland (PPS) confirmed the charges against Donaldson on Tuesday, January 17th. The PPS stated that it had reviewed the evidence provided by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and had determined that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution. Donaldson is scheduled to appear before the Belfast Magistrates’ Court on February 24th. He will be required to enter pleas to the charges at that time. The allegations have sent shockwaves through the political establishment in Northern Ireland. Donaldson has been a prominent figure in the DUP for many years and served as its leader from 2015 to 2021. The DUP has said that it is “deeply saddened” by the allegations but will not comment further while the legal process is ongoing. The charges against Donaldson have also raised concerns about the handling of sexual abuse allegations in Northern Ireland. Some campaigners have questioned why it has taken so long for the charges to be brought and whether more could have been done to protect the victims. The PSNI has said that it takes all allegations of sexual abuse seriously and has worked closely with the PPS to bring the charges against Donaldson. The trial is expected to be held later this year.Former DUP Leader to Face Trial on Sex Crimes ChargesFormer DUP Leader to Face Trial on Sex Crimes Charges Update: Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 11:06 a.m. BST Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will stand trial on 18 counts of historic sex crimes, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced. Initial Charges and Subsequent Review: Donaldson was initially charged with 11 offenses in April. Following a standard review of police evidence by the PPS, an additional seven charges have been added. Arrest and Court Appearance: Donaldson’s solicitor, John McBurney, accompanied him to Newry Magistrates’ Court today for a hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence against him. After a police presence was noted outside the court, a judge ruled that the case could proceed to trial. Increased Charges for Donaldson’s Wife: Lady Eleanor Donaldson, Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife, originally faced four charges, including aiding and abetting him. However, she now faces five charges. Alleged Victims and Timeframe: The crimes allegedly took place between 1985 and 2006 and involve two alleged victims. Donaldson’s Resignation and Lost Candidacy: After his initial charges in March, Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended by his party. He remained an independent MP until the May elections, but he has announced that he will not stand for re-election in the Lagan Valley constituency, where he served for 27 years. Accusations and Defense: Donaldson has denied the allegations and has stated that he will vigorously contest the charges. He was knighted for his services to politics in 2016. Political Significance: Donaldson played a key role in negotiating the DUP’s confidence and supply agreement with Theresa May’s government, which gave the party influence at Westminster. He also led his party back into the power-sharing government at Stormont after a two-year boycott due to the Brexit trade deal crisis. Additional Information: * This is a developing story, and more details will be released as they become available. * Sky News provides updates through its website, mobile app, and social media channels. * Breaking news alerts are available via the Sky News app or by following @SkyNews on Twitter or subscribing to the Sky News YouTube channel.Former DUP Leader to Face Sex Offence Trial on 18 Counts Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is set to stand trial on 18 counts of sexual offences. The charges include indecent assault, gross indecency, and child cruelty against a male victim between 1991 and 1997. Donaldson has denied all the allegations. The case was adjourned at Antrim Magistrates’ Court on Friday, and a full trial has been set for January 2024. Donaldson was released on bail, but he must adhere to strict conditions. The charges have sent shockwaves through Northern Irish politics, where Donaldson was a prominent figure for many years. He served as an MP for Lagan Valley from 2010 to 2022 and was DUP leader from 2021 to 2022. Donaldson’s trial is expected to draw significant media attention and public interest. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Northern Ireland. The allegations against Donaldson have been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed support for the accuser and condemned Donaldson’s alleged actions, while others have raised concerns about the timing of the charges and their potential impact on the political stability of the region. The trial is scheduled to begin on January 8, 2024, at Antrim Crown Court.