Seven Afghan Refugees Charged In UK With Child Sex Offences

LONDON, May 23 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Seven Afghan refugees have been accused of being part of a grooming gang and charged with rape and child sex abuse offences, United Kingdom (UK) police said, reported PA Media/dpa.

The men were charged as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Norwich, in the East of England, Norfolk Police said.

They are accused of sexual offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025, the force added.

Police said five of the men had entered the country via small boat, one concealed in a lorry and the seventh attempted to enter the UK clandestinely via Portsmouth ferry port.

The Afghan nationals appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A courts service officer said that all seven defendants were remanded into custody until a plea hearing at Norwich Crown Court on June 19.

Superintendent Craig Miller said: "I know this news will be shocking to our communities.

"This type of case is very upsetting, and I want people living and working in Norwich, as well as the wider communities of Norfolk, to know that we will do everything possible to protect children from abuse and exploitation."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the defendants, all in their 20s, are charged with crimes including rape, human trafficking and conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse. 

Norfolk Police said officers raided seven addresses on Wednesday, six in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland, leading to seven arrests.

Irish police (An Garda Siochana), arrested an eighth suspect in Ireland on Friday morning.

Appropriate legal processes will now be followed to seek the 19-year-old man's return to the UK, Norfolk Police said.

The charges relate to two alleged victims, who were aged in their early-to-mid teens at the time of the alleged offences, the force said.

Norfolk Police said none of the charged men have lived at asylum hotels in Norfolk and none of the alleged offending happened in asylum hotels.

The force said that a "complex and sensitive investigation" began in September 2023 following a disclosure from a young girl.

Detective Superintendent Stacey Murray, who is leading the investigation, said: "I want to reassure everyone that we are being meticulous in our approach to this investigation."

Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service's Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute seven men with rape and child sexual abuse charges for alleged offending during August 2023 to May 2025 – following a Norfolk Police Constabulary investigation into organised grooming gang activity in the county.

"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings."

-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa