THREE men have been charged in connection with a string of historical child sex offences.

The offences are alleged to have been carried out in Leeds between 1996 and 2008, with further alleged offences in Barrow between 2008 and 2010.

The charges have been brought following a joint investigation by Cumbria and West Yorkshire police forces.

The men, from Leeds and Doncaster, are alleged to have carried out offences including rape and sexual assault in the Barrow area.

The following three men have been charged.

• Shaha Amran Miah, 44, of no fixed abode, Leeds, who was known to use the name ‘Jai’, was charged with:

- Rape, sexual assault, kidnap and two counts of witness intimidation in the Barrow area

- Six counts of indecent assault and six counts of gross indecency with a child in the Leeds area

• Shaha Alman Miah, 43, of no fixed abode, Leeds, who was known to use the name ‘Ali’, was charged with:

- Two counts of sexual activity with a child aged under 16 in Barrow.

• Shah Joman Miah, 34, of Warmsworth Road in Doncaster, was known to use the name ‘Saj’ or ‘Sarj’, was charged with:

- Five counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, two counts of false imprisonment and one count of sexual assault in the Barrow area.

- Five counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, two counts of indecent assault, four counts of gross indecency with a child under the age of 14, two counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 – Leeds area

All three men are scheduled to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on September 11.

Police said the Leeds charges against Shah Joman Miah result from an investigation by Leeds District Safeguarding Unit into allegations linked to a Mosque that was based in Rowland Terrace, Beeston, between 1996 and 2008, but no longer exists.

A spokesman said: "No matter how long ago an offence occurred, West Yorkshire Police and Cumbria Police and would encourage anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse, physical abuse or exploitation to report it to them.

"Any report will be subject of a thorough investigation carried out by specialist officers. Victims will also receive the appropriate safeguarding and support they require."

You can report information about the Cumbria investigation to Detective Constable Scott Livett or the South Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding Team at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call police on 101.