Peterborough: Start Of 'Abuse' Trial Delayed

27 March 2014, 15:09

The trial of five men accused of trafficking and sexually assaulting teenage girls in Peterborough has been delayed.

The men, all from Peterborough, were arrested as part of a Cambridgeshire Police investigation into the alleged abuse of girls vulnerable to sexual exploitation. 

Prosecutor Patricia Lynch was due to open the case at Cambridge Crown Court in a trial expected to last up to eight weeks.

But today judge Mark Lucraft delayed the case until Monday for further legal argument.

Yasir Ali, 28, of Grange Road, denies six counts of rape, two of making indecent photographs of children, one of sexual activity in the presence of a child, seven of trafficking and one of witness intimidation. 

Daaim Ashraf, 19, of Almoners Lane, denies three counts of rape, one of sexual assault, one of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual activity in the presence of a child, seven of trafficking and one of witness intimidation. 

Akash Yasin, 18, of Gladstone Street, denies one count of sexual assault and two of trafficking. 

James Daly, 25, of Grange Road, denies one count of rape. 

A fifth defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies one count of rape and one of sexual activity in the presence of a child.