Eleanor Donaldson seeks dismissal of charges in court

Eleanor Donaldson has sought to have two charges against her dismissed in a historical sex offences case involving her husband, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Both appeared at Newry Crown Court, where Judge Paul Ramsey heard her defence team's application, which the prosecution argued should be decided by a jury. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape and multiple counts of indecent assault, relating to incidents between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, 58, has pleaded not guilty to three charges and is seeking to have two additional charges dropped. The judge will deliver his decision next week, with the trial scheduled to begin in late March. The couple is currently on bail and attended the hearing separately, avoiding comments to the media.