Twenty-four religious group members deny charges over Crewe raids

Twenty-four members of a religious organisation have appeared in court 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 Crewe, Cheshire, on 29 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 on Wednesday. They were charged with a range of offences including obstructing police officers, failing to comply with police directions and assaulting an officer, with most facing one charge. They relate to their alleged actions as the police operation was being carried out. A charge against one man was discontinued on Wednesday. Annika Livermore, prosecuting, told the court that residents obstructed officers from getting into rooms at Webb House, the group's headquarters, some by linking arms to try and stop them getting past. She said defendant Dareem Charles, 36, was alleged to have kicked at shields of police officers and thrown items, wh