A GROUP of men have appeared in court accused of 45 sex abuse offences against eight children spanning five years.

The 12 suspects were all arrested under Operation Stovewood, which was set up in the wake of the Rotherham grooming scandal.

8 Nabeel Kurshid, 34, Iqlak Yousaf, 33, Ali Akhtar, 36, hid their faces as they left court accused of 45 sex abuse charges Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Amjal Rafiq, 38, Nabeel Kurshid, 34, Iqlak Yousaf, 33, Mohammed Imran Ali Akhtar, 36, Tanweer Ali, 36, and Abid Saddiq, 36, all appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court today.

They were joined by co-defendants Sharaz Hussain, 33, Salah Ahmed El-Hakam, 38, Mohammed Ashan, 33, Masaeud Malik, 33, and Waseem Khaliq, 33.

Some of the defendants hid their faces behind hoods and scarves as they left Sheffield Magistrates' Court today charged with sex offences including rape, indecent assault and false imprisonment.

Other charges include aiding or abetting rape, sexual touching and supply of controlled drugs.

8 Amjal Rafiq, 38, in the blue coat is one of 12 charged with sex offences Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

8 Tanweer Ali, 36, throws his hood over his face as he appears in court Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

8 Abid Saddiq, 36, is accused of a string of sex offences Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

The offences relate to eight girls under the age of 16 being sexually abused between 1998 and 2003.

Nine of the Rotherham men were granted bail, while Ashan, Malik and Khaliq were remanded in custody after appearing via video link.

The 12 men will next appear at Sheffield Crown Court on December 1.

8 Salah Ahmed El-Hakam, 38, shields his face as he arrives in court Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

8 Iqlak Yousaf, 33, was arrested under a police operation set up following the Rotherham grooming scandal Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

8 Ali Akhtar, 36, was one of 12 who appeared in court today Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

8 Nabeel Kurshid, 34, will appear alongside his co-defendants in December at Sheffield Crown Court Credit: SWNS:South West News Service