Two Afghan asylum seekers have denied a string of charges linked to the alleged abduction and rape of a 12-year-old girl in a small Midlands town.
Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape relating to the underage girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, as well as two counts of sexual assault and one count of abduction.
A second man, Mohammad Kabir, also 23, pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting rape, intentional strangulation and attempting to take a child.
Mulakhil entered his pleas during a short hearing at Warwick Crown Court with the assistance of a Farsi interpreter, while Kabir was assisted by a Pashto interpreter. Both defendants wore grey prison tracksuits.
The girl is now understood to be receiving specialist care.
