The Afghans - six aged 20 and one aged 21 - are accused of a total of 38 offences, including charges of conspiracy to rape, all involving the same girls, who were aged in their early to mid-teens at the time.

One of the prisoner Serco vans at the Norwich Courts. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The seven suspects appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday for a plea and trial preparation hearing (PTPH).

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The defendants - who appeared in the dock and spoke through interpreters - all denied 38 offences against the girls, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said to have taken place between August 2023 and May 2025.

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The trial in January is likely to take around 12 weeks.

Police raided several properties in relation to the investigation (Image: Norfolk........

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