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Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife are due to be back in court today to face the latest hearing in the historic sex offence cases against them.

The last time they appeared in court, July 3, there was an increase in the number of charges against them – from 11 to 18 in the case of Sir Jeffrey, and from four to five in the case of his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson.

The current suite of charges against him remain: four of gross indecency with a child (one victim), 13 of indecently assaulting a child (two victims), and one charge of rape.

His charges span from 1985 to 2008.

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates' Court, after a preliminary enquiry in July, where he is charged with several historical sexual offences. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

His wife – of Dublinhill Road, Dromore – is charged with aiding and abetting some of his alleged offences (rape and alleged indecent assault), and her charge sheet likewise remains the same.

The hearing concerning their cases is listed for 10.30am at Newry Crown Court, in Court 1.

Sir Jeffrey was arrested over the allegations in March.

It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers at the time, he made clear he would be “strenuously contesting” all charges.

He was MP for Lagan Valley from 1997, at the age of 34, until the recent general election.

Sir Jeffrey became leader of his party in 2021, after a period of turmoil in which Edwin Poots briefly held the top post, replacing Arlene Foster.

His long political came to an abrupt end when the case against him suddenly emerged just before Easter, throwing the DUP into a fresh leadership crisis.

Jeffrey Donaldson is due back in Newry Crown Court today