Sex trial defence due to start tomorrow

The eight have all denied 23 offences of rape, sexual activity with under-age girls and inciting sex acts.

The jury at Sheffield Crown Court has already heard from the four alleged victims and some of their family as part of the prosecution evidence.

The length of the trial is now expected to be extended from six weeks to seven.

The defendants are: Adil Hussain (20), of Nelson Street, Rotherham town centre, Saeed Hussain (29), of Hatherley Road, Eastwood, Shalzaad Hussain (22), of Clough Road, Masborough, Mohsin Khan (22), of Haworth Crescent, Moorgate, Zafran Ramzan (21) of Broom Grove, Broom, Razwan Razaq (30), of Oxford Street, Clifton, Umar Razaq (24), of Oxford Street, Clifton, Shazad Akbar (23), of Shirecliffe Lane, Shirecliffe, Sheffield.