Nine men in court over historical child sexual exploitation offences

Nine men have appeared in court charged with a total of 41 historical sexual offences, relating to eight victims who were children at the time.

The men, aged between 54 and 76, were arrested in Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland earlier in July.

Gwent Police initiated Operation Oak after several women reported the abuse, which took place in south Wales between 1985 and 1996.

Appearing at Newport Magistrates' Court, the defendants were told most charges were so serious that the cases would be transferred to Crown court.

The men, who are all British citizens, were granted bail. They will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 21 August.

Operation Oak has been described by the force as a "complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales".

Many of the charges relate to the rape of children.

No pleas were entered during the short hearings at Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses. One appeared via video-link.

Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, is charged with four counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of rape of a female aged 16 years or over, two counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under 16, and causing the prostitution of a woman

Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, is charged with three counts of rape of a female under 16.

Mohammed Sheikh Abdul Hannan, 54, of Edinburgh, is charged with two counts of rape of a female aged 16 years or over, one count of indecent assault on a woman over 16 years of age, three counts of aiding and abetting the rape of a female under 16 years of age or over and two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 years or over.

Kevin Lawrence, 54, of Dunoon, is charged with two counts of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 years or over, and causing the prostitution of a woman.

Sheikh Mohammed Tahir Ullah, 73, of Newport, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 years or over, and one count of rape of a female under 16.

Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, 58, of Tottenham, is charged with one count of rape of a female aged 16 years or over.

Shakeel Babur, 58, of Nelson, Lancashire, is charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16

Murad Ali, 57, of Swansea, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16.

Mohammed Ramzan, 76, of Newport, is charged with two counts of rape of a female under 16, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, causing the prostitution of a girl under sixteen, and conspiring to rape a girl under the age of 16.

Gwent Police has said the inquiry is focused on allegations made by eight women of sexual abuse committed against them as children over a period of 11 years.

Some of the charges of rape relate to multiple incidents of rape, the force said.

Det Ch Supt Andrew Tuck previously said: "It is vital for the victims in this case, and for the integrity of the investigation, that nothing is posted on social media that could affect the court proceedings."

"Anyone who reports child abuse will be taken seriously. We urge anyone who has experienced abuse, or who is concerned that someone may be suffering, to come forward.

"We will listen, investigate all offences and make sure you can access the help and support you need."