Rachel Morgan reports on a major operation aimed at bringing historical child sexual exploitation offences to justice in south Wales.
Nine men have appeared in court charged with 41 historical sexual offences linked to eight victims who were children at the time of the alleged abuse. The defendants, aged between 54 and 76, were arrested in various locations across the UK, including Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh, and Argyll and Bute in Scotland.
Gwent Police's Operation Oak was launched following reports from several women about the abuse, which allegedly took place in south Wales between 1985 and 1996. At Newport Magistrates Court, the defendants were informed that most charges are of such severity that they will be transferred to the Crown Court for trial.
The British citizens, who have been granted bail, are scheduled to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 21 August. Operation Oak is described by Gwent Police as a 'complex and long-running investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales', with many charges related to the rape of children.
During their brief appearances, the defendants confirmed only their names, dates of birth, and addresses, with one appearing via video-link. Charges against them vary, including counts of rape, indecent assault, and causing prostitution.