colinnew
Ten men accused of being part of the Rochdale grooming gang are set to stand trial charged with sexually abusing girls as young as 13 in the early 2000s.
The men are accused of 74 offences, including rape, sexual activity with an underage girl and human trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.
The charges relate to alleged incidents involving two teenage girls between 2003 and 2008.
Eight of the men appeared on Wednesday at a pre-trial hearing at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court. Two did not attend court due to medical issues.
They spoke only to confirm their names and no pleas were entered for the multiple horrific crimes each is charged with.
Irfan Qurban, 43, of Innings Way, Rochdale has been charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl
Neveed Anwar, 38, of Colley Street, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl
