Nine appear in dock at Old Bailey charged with child sex abuse (From The Oxford Times)
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Nine appear in dock at Old Bailey charged with child sex abuse
1:53pm Monday 14th January 2013 in Operation Bullfinch
By Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter. Call me on (01865) 425427
NINE men have appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey today accused of being part of a child sex abuse gang in Oxford.
The defendants, aged between 24 and 38, spoke only to confirm their names in the London courtroom.
The men face 78 charges including allegations of rape, trafficking for sexual exploitation, and arranging or facilitating child prostitution.
A jury is expected to be formally sworn in tomorrow morning before prosecutor Noel Lucas opens the case.
Judge Peter Rook told potential jurors the trial could last up to 12 weeks.
He said the first witness would give evidence next Monday morning.
