GETTY The incident was alleged to have taken place in Leazes Park, adjacent to St James Park stadium

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One of them had been resettled in Britain just six months ago under the government’s refugee programme. Omar Badreddin, 18, Mohammed Alfrouh, 20, and Mohammad Allakkoud, 18, all pleaded not guilty. A 16-year-old Syrian has also been charged. He has not yet entered a plea and his case will be heard by a youth court. The incident is alleged to have happened in Leazes Park on May 10 - just six months after Badreddin arrived in the UK.

GOOGLE MAPS The adult men pleaded not guilty to the charge at Newcastle Court

He and his family had been living in Jordan after fleeing Syria when they were flagged as vulnerable by the UN’s refugee agency. They were allowed entry to the UK and settled in Newcastle. Mr Alfrouh has also been charged with sexually assaulting another 14-year-old girl, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The three adults involved in the May 10 incident have been released on bail until their trial on September 26.

GETTY Over 3m Syrians have fled their country due to the ongoing instability