Lady Donaldson health report due to be completed next week

A report on Lady Eleanor Donaldson’s health condition is due to be completed next week, a review hearing in Belfast has heard.

The 59-year-old is a co-accused in a sex offences case involving her husband, the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

The pair are due to stand trial at Newry Crown Court in November.

Both deny all charges against them.

Lady Donaldson’s lawyer informed judge Paul Ramsey that a psychiatrist’s report would “hopefully” be obtained on Monday.

The court was also told an application will be made to obtain records from Craigavon Area Hospital.

The case is to reviewed again on 11 September, when neither accused is required to attend.

Sir Jeffrey, 62, is accused of 18 offences, including one count of rape.

Lady Donaldson faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting.

The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008.

The trial was due to have taken place in March, but has been put back due to Lady Donaldson’s health.