The court is awaiting a medical assessment of Lady Eleanor Donaldson.

A judge said he does not want to interfere with a date to start the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife.

The now 78-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault on dates between October 1989 and October 1990

During a brief court hearing, the charges were read to the Lagan Valley MP and his wife as they stood in the dock

The two charges against the former coach relate to allegations he indecently assaulted a boy he coached in the 1970s.