Jury needs more time

JURORS considering their verdict in the case of a Rotherham man accused of 19 offences including rape and blackmail were sent home for the weekend yesterday.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st Aug 2007, 20:51 BST

Updated 1st Sep 2007, 08:32 BST

Mohamad Ghulam Babok, aged 44, is accused of carrying out a string of sex attacks on young boys between 2003 and 2006.

He denies all 19 charges – two of blackmail, three of indecent assault, seven sexual assaults, five counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of rape – and is standing trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

The jury yesterday retired to consider their verdict but a decision was not reached by 4pm and they were sent home for the weekend.

They are expected to continue their deliberations from 10.30am on Monday.

Rotherham