A GROUP of men are set to stand trial in Bradford next month in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a woman over a two-year period.

Eight of the ten men facing charges appeared at Bradford Crown Court for a pre-trial review hearing yesterday to deny offences including rape and sexual assault, said to have taken place between July 2009 and July 2011.

One of the men, Basharat Khaliq, is also accused of abusing a second woman between the dates of May 2008 to September 2009.

Khaliq, 37, of Bradford, appeared in the dock to plead not guilty to four charges of rape against the second woman, and one of assault by penetration against the first alleged victim.

The other seven defendants who were present at court also all entered not guilty pleas to charges relating to that same woman.

Saeed Akhtar, 54, of Bradford, denies two charges of causing or inciting child prostitution and one charge of rape.

Naveed Akhtar, 42, of Bradford, and Izar Hussain, 31, of Bradford, both deny three charges of rape, with Hussain also denying an additional allegation of attempted rape.

Mohammed Usman, 30, of Bradford, and Kieran Harris, 27, of Dewsbury, both pleaded not guilty to two charges of rape.

Yasar Majid, 36, of Milton Keynes, denies a single charge of rape, and Fahim Iqbal, 26, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting rape.

The court heard that Zeeshan Ali, 31, of Bradford, who faces a single charge of sexual assault, was absent from court due to his attendance at a family funeral.

The final defendant, Parvaze Ahmed, 35, of Bradford, was also absent and unable to enter pleas to three charges of rape.

The court was told there was no authorised explanation for his absence, and Judge Jonathan Rose issued a warrant for his arrest for breaching the conditions of his bail.

Prosecutor Kama Melly QC said that a full list of witnesses required for the case would be served on the court by January 12.

She added that all material to be provided for the jury in the trial would be ready to present to the judge in the case by February 16.

Addressing each of the eight defendants in the dock, Judge Rose granted bail to all but Iqbal, who was remanded in custody.

He said: “I make it plain that bail will continue throughout the trial unless I indicate otherwise.”

A trial expected to last several weeks is due to start at Bradford Crown Court on Monday, February 26, and Judge Rose adjourned the case until that date, confirming that no further pre-trial hearings were required.