Paras deny Afghanistan sex attack

The Ministry of Defence has said nine soldiers are to appear before a court martial next April accused of indecently assaulting another soldier.

The paratroopers will face court in Colchester, Essex, over an alleged incident in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2006, which they deny.

Eight men have been charged with "disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind", according to the MoD.

A ninth is also charged with neglecting his duty by failing to intervene.

A spokesman for the military court said all nine men entered not guilty pleas when they appeared at the court last week.