Jeffrey Donaldson: Chaotic scenes as ex-DUP leader and wife appear in court charged with historical sex offences

As the defendants emerged from the court following the hearing at which their bail conditions were relaxed, some members of the public who had gathered across the road joined in the media gathered around them.

Both were heckled as police struggled to contain the crowd, with Mr Donaldson forced to return to the court to allow police to clear the road and allow his transport to arrive.

The Lagan Valley MP (61) faces 11 charges: one count of rape, one count of gross indecency and nine counts of indecent assault. The charges relate to two complainants and are alleged to have occurred between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2006.

Ms Donaldson (58) was charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault, as well as two counts of cruelty to a person under the age of 16.

The aiding and abetting charges relate to alleged incidents between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1991, as well as a specific count of the charge on January 1, 1985.

One cruelty charge is alleged to have occurred between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1991, while the other alleged offence occurred between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2004.

On his charge sheet, Mr Donaldson’s address is listed as Old Town Hall, 29 Castle Street, Lisburn – his constituency office. The address of Ms Donaldson was listed as the family home near Dromore, Co Down.

Mr Donaldson did not speak as he arrived at the court at around 9.30am accompanied by his solicitor, John McBurney.

Police officers tried to keep the roadway clear during the large media presence for his arrival. The defendants entered court and sat in the dock, separated by security staff who sat on either side.

Ms Donaldson spoke furtively to the security staff, while a relaxed Mr Donaldson stared straight ahead for much of what was a lengthy wait on District Judge Eamonn King to appear.

On arrival, Judge King reminded both those present and the dozens viewing the hearing on the SightLink video conference platform that it was a criminal offence to record court proceedings.

He noted that if he had any indication that proceedings were being recorded for publication on social media, the link would be “severed immediately”.

Both defendants spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and that they understood the charges against them.

A detective sergeant indicated he could connect the accused to the charges.

An application to vary bail to allow contact between Mr and Ms Donaldson was granted by Judge King, with the original condition agreed to be “no longer relevant”.

The addresses at which both defendants are required to reside have not been altered by the hearing. Counsel for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said an updated list of potential witnesses the defendants were prohibited from contacting would be provided to the court.

“More witnesses have been spoken to since the charges were laid,” they added.

Each defendant was released on their own bail of £350 (€407) before Judge King adjourned the case for mention for four weeks, until May 22.

Neither defendant will be required to attend court on that date.

Judge King’s warning about online reporting of the case follows a similar statement from the North’s attorney general Brenda King. “The attorney advises the public, as well as media outlets, to think about potential consequences before publishing, posting or sharing commentary, online or otherwise.”

She also warned the public and media of the risk of contempt of court.

Mr Donaldson had recently led the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of the power-sharing institutions.

Following his arrest on March 28, the DUP removed all trace of him from its website and closed down his social media accounts.

The following day, the DUP confirmed the then leader had been suspended from the party, with East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson taking over as interim leader. Mr Donaldson remains as Lagan Valley MP, a House of Commons seat he has held since 1997.