Court appearances over religious organisation search

Twenty-four members of a religious organisation appeared in court yesterday charged with public order offences following a police raid on its headquarters.

More than 500 officers took part in the raids at three addresses linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in April

The searches were part of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery, and have prompted daily protests outside the site since.

All defendants pleaded not guilty during a hearing at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court