FOUR students from Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural University pleaded not guilty to a number of sexual offences at a hearing today.

The students are accused of rape and other sexual offences against the same woman on the night of the university’s summer ball on May 23, 2014.

Three of the men, Thady Duff, of Stubbs Hill Farm, Blunsdon, Swindon, Patrick Foster, of Maldon Road, Kelvedon, Essex and Leo Mahon, of Shipton Hill Farm, Warwickshire, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Duff is accused of seven sexual offences including four charges of rape.

Mahon is accused of five sexual offences and Foster of three.

The men, who are all 21 and represented by Paul Morris, will next appear in Gloucester Crown Court on August 6 for a preliminary hearing.

Judge Joti Bopa-Rai said: “You have heard that your charges can only be heard at crown court. Because all of the charges are related you will be tried for all of them at crown court on August 6.

James Martin, 19, of Hook Norton Road, Swerford, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, is accused of three sexual offences and appeared in court for a summons alongside the other three men. He denies the charges and was granted bail.

The men were reminded of their bail conditions, including that they should have no contact with witnesses, should not attend any university or student union events and should not go to the Tunnel House Inn, Cirencester

Martin is being defended by Laura Porteous.

Judge Bopa-Rai said: “If there is any breach you will be remanded in custody.”