A group of 27 men and two women have appeared in court today accused of more than 170 charges relating to the rape, sexual exploitation and neglect of 18 children over seven years.

The majority of the defendants, most of whom are from the Huddersfield area, arrived and left Leeds Crown Court with their faces covered with masks, scarves or hoods amid protests outside.

A large crowd, some of whom were from the English Defence League and also covered their faces, waited on the steps of the court all day, yelling at defendants, who were escorted by police.

The 27 men are accused of committing historic sex, trafficking and exploitation offences against 18 girls aged between 11 and 17 between 2004 and 2011.

The two women are accused of child neglect.

In the dock: A group of 27 men and two women have appeared in court today accused of more than 170 charges relating to the rape, sexual exploitation and neglect of 18 children over seven years

Case: Two women are also being prosecuted and the majority of the suspects are from the Huddersfield area

Protests: EDL members and people from other groups, including from the Sikh community, were outside Leeds Crown Court

The defendants, who are mainly from Huddersfield but also include men from Dudley, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, and Dewsbury, appeared in groups of up to ten during a lengthy court sitting on Thursday

Prosecutor Richard Wright QC told Leeds Crown Court that the defendants have been split into three groups which are set to face three different trials from early next year lasting between six and ten weeks.

The first group are set to go on trial on Jan 8 2018, the second on April 16 2018 and the third on September 3 2018.

Amere Singh Dhaliwal, 34, of Huddersfield, is accused of 21 counts of rape and 30 other charges including racially aggravated assault and inciting a child into prostitution.

The majority of the other men are accused of similar offences including rape, sexual assault, trafficking, sexual exploitation, having or making indecent images of children or the supply of a noxious substance.

Naveeda Habib, 38, and Shahnaz Malik, 55, are the only female defendants in the case and are accused of child neglect.

Escort: The majority of the defendants arrived with their faces covered - police also accompanied them

Today's hearing was split into three to deal with the number of defendants, who faced protests

More than 20 police were on duty outside Leeds Crown Court, including some on horses

Today's hearing was split into three to deal with the number of defendants. M ore than 20 police were on duty outside.

The defendants, who are mainly from Huddersfield but also include men from Dudley, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, and Dewsbury, appeared in groups of up to ten during a lengthy court sitting on Thursday.

West Yorkshire Police said last month that the 29 arrests were carried out following an investigation which began in late 2013.