Rotherham child sex abuse suspects appear at Crown Court

Hussain (40), of East Cowick in Goole, did not appear at court to answer the charges against him because he was in hospital, his barrister Mr Stephen Uttley told the court in Sheffield.

Ms Michelle Colborne, prosecuting, said Hussain seemed to get admitted to hospital a day or two days before a court hearing and asked Her Honour Judge Sarah Wright for his absences to be “kept in check”.

Judge Wright replied: “Yes certainly”.

In the dock were Qurban Ali (53), of Clough Road, Masbrough, and brothers Majid Bostan (37), of Ledsham Road, Broom, and Sajid Bostan (38), Broom Avenue, Broom.

They appeared alongside Karen MacGregor (58), of Barnsley Road, Wath, and Shelley Davies (40), of Wainwright Road, Kimberworth Park.

Brothers Bannaras Hussain (36), of Goole, and Basharat Hussain (38), of no fixed abode, who have both been on remand, were also in court.

Ms Colborne said the defendants faced 61 charges in total against them — a number greatly reduced since their previous appearance.

Barristers for all eight of the defendants indicated there would be not guilty pleas entered at the next plea and case management hearing on November 6.

Judge Wright said if Arshid Hussain, who faces a substantial number of charges, failed to attend again she would not be pleased.

Bannaras Hussain and Basharat Hussain were remanded in custody while their co-defendants were released on conditional bail.

The trial of all eight defendants is due to begin on December 7 at the same court.