Two men, accused of robbery, sexual assault and blackmail in connection with a raid at a family’s home in Emm Lane, Heaton, Bradford, have appeared in court in connection with a number of other robberies.

Hasnain Raja, 21, of Arncliffe Terrace, Lidget Green, Bradford, and Najeeb Aslam, 27, of Hudson Crescent, Great Horton, Bradford, were due to stand trial on the Emm Lane matters on July 1.

Today they appeared by video link from Leeds Prison for a preliminary hearing at Bradford Crown Court on three joint charges of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

Barrister Yunus Valli, for Raja, said the defendants were already facing a similar charge with similar offences.

Judge Roger Thomas QC, the Recorder of Bradford, said it was “ridiculous” to have separate trials.

He adjourned the cases to be mentioned on Friday, June 14.