Latest news with #sexoffences
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
‘Significant deterioration' in Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition, court told
There has been a deterioration in the medical condition of the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has been told. A barrister said the court is waiting on an assessment over whether Lady Eleanor Donaldson is fit to stand trial later this year, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. A new trial date has been set for November 3. Reviewing the case, Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Eleanor Donaldson. Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson Ian Turkington KC said: 'We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. 'Those aren't my words, those are the words you'll see from the consultant psychiatrist. 'What we don't have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial), that is really the next step.' Mr Turkington said an appointment was scheduled with a forensic psychiatrist on July 19. Judge Ramsey said he would review the case again before the end of the legal term on June 26 and again at the start of the next term on August 1. The judge said neither defendant needed to attend court on either date. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O' Kane said she was 'keen to keep hold of the momentum' in the case. She added: 'We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court. 'We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.' Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March last year. He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions. Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed his successor as DUP chief.
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
‘Significant deterioration' in Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition, court told
There has been a deterioration in the medical condition of the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has been told. A barrister said the court is waiting on an assessment over whether Lady Eleanor Donaldson is fit to stand trial later this year, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. Advertisement The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences (Liam McBurney/PA) Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims. Advertisement Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. A new trial date has been set for November 3rd. Reviewing the case, Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Eleanor Donaldson. Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson Ian Turkington KC said: 'We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. Advertisement 'Those aren't my words, those are the words you'll see from the consultant psychiatrist. 'What we don't have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial), that is really the next step.' Mr Turkington said an appointment was scheduled with a forensic psychiatrist on July 19th. Judge Ramsey said he would review the case again before the end of the legal term on June 26 and again at the start of the next term on August 1st. Advertisement The judge said neither defendant needed to attend court on either date. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O'Kane said she was 'keen to keep hold of the momentum' in the case. She added: 'We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court. 'We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.' Advertisement Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March last year. He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged. Ireland Court grants stay on suspension of TikTok data tra... Read More Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions. Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed his successor as DUP chief. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
‘Significant deterioration' in the mental health of Eleanor Donaldson, court hears
There has been a 'significant deterioration' in the mental health of Eleanor Donaldson, the wife and co-accused of former DUP leader Jeffery Donaldson who are facing charges relating to sex offences, a court has heard. Medical evidence on Ms Donaldson's condition was presented at a pre-trial hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday. It remains unclear if she will be fit to stand trial, which is scheduled to take place in November. Mr Donaldson (62) and with an address in Dromore, Co Down, has previously pleaded not guilty to 18 offences – one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 of indecent assault on a female, on dates between 1987 and 2008. READ MORE Mrs Donaldson (58) of the same address, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of aiding and abetting in connection with the charges faced by her husband. The defendants did not appear in court, as they were not required to attend. During Thursday's brief hearing, Ms Donaldson's defence barrister provided an update based on detailed notes from a medical assessment. 'Sadly, there has been a significant mental deterioration. Just to be clear, those aren't my words. Those are the words you will see from her consultant psychiatrist,' said Ian Turkington KC. 'But what we don't have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial). That really is the next step.' Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Ms Donaldson and agreed that capacity was 'the real matter'. The trial was originally due to begin in March but was put back until November 3rd on account of Ms Donaldson's health. Mr Turkington told the court on Thursday that an appointment with a consultant forensic psychiatrist has been arranged for next month. Prosecution barrister Fiona O'Kane noted the appointment was for a 'full capacity assessment' and that the prosecution was also seeking its own independent expert. Ms O'Kane she was 'keen to keep hold of the momentum' in the case. 'We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court. 'We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.' Two further review hearings were set for June 26th and August 1st. Mr Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after he was arrested and charged in March 2024. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the Northern powersharing institutions. The then deputy leader, Gavin Robinson, was appointed his successor as DUP leader.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Jeffrey Donaldson: Dates set for health review on Lady Donaldson
A court has set two review dates to receive updates on the health of Lady Eleanor is due to stand trial in November with her husband, ex-Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, on historical sex offence Jeffrey, 62, is accused of 18 offences, including one count of Donaldson, 59, faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting. The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and deny all charges. At Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Paul Ramsey fixed review hearings for the end of this month and in accused is required to trial had originally been scheduled to begin in March, but has been delayed due to Lady Donaldson's ill health.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Rotherham man Malcolm Barnes to stand trial for 29 sex offences
A man accused of 29 sex offences is due to stand trial in 2027. Malcolm Barnes, 66, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday after being charged earlier this year. Among the charges he faces, all of which are alleged to have taken place between 1980 and 2007, are rape and indecent assault against a girl under Barnes, of Newman Road in Rotherham, was told his trial was scheduled to start on 5 April 2027 and granted conditional bail until his next court hearing. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
