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Seven men due to stand trial over multiple counts of rape

None of the parties in the case can be named for legal reasons and reporting restrictions are in place
None of the parties in the case can be named for legal reasons and reporting restrictions are in place

Seven men are due to go on trial on Thursday accused of multiple counts of rape over a 17-year period.

The seven men face a total of 103 charges, all of which they deny.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1996 and 2013.

One of the accused also faces charges of sexual offending against two others.

Today, the charges were put to all the defendants in front of an expanded jury of 15 at the Central Criminal Court.

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs had earlier informed the jury panel that the case would take at least four months because of the number of defendants and witnesses. She also said the complainant in the case is deaf and will require interpreters and an intermediary and the process would be slower than usual.

The seven men, who are aged between 32 and 55, each pleaded not guilty to all charges today.

None of the parties in the case can be named for legal reasons and reporting restrictions are in place.

The first man, 55, who will be referred to as Accused A, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

Accused B, aged 48, pleaded not guilty to eight counts, including rape and sexual assaults of anal rape and oral rape.

The third man, 34, who will be referred to as Accused C, pleaded not guilty to 34 counts including rape and sexual assault of the woman. This man also entered not guilty pleas to one count of sexual assault by anally raping another complainant and four counts of rape and sexually assaulting a third.

Accused D, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of rape and sexual assault including anal rape.

Accused E, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of rape and anal rape.

Accused F, also aged 32, pleaded not guilty to five counts including rape, anal rape and oral rape.

Accused G, aged 45, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman.