Three Libyan soldiers based in Cambridgeshire have been charged with the sexual assault of three women in the city centre.

Khaled El Azibi, 18, Ibrahim Naji El Maarfi, 20, and Mohammed Abdalsalam, 27, were charged earlier today in relation to attacks which occurred on Sunday.

Abdalsalam admitted two counts of sexual assault, one count of threatening behaviour towards a police office and one count of theft. El Maarfi pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, one count of exposure and one count of theft. A third man, Khaled El Azibi, 18, charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of theft declined to enter pleas.

The men will be sentenced at a later date. They are likely to be deported and were refused re-entry to their camp.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that all three men are undergoing training at Bassingbourn Barracks, around half an hour outside Cambridge.

A spokesperson for the British Army said: "We can confirm that three Libyan soldiers undergoing training at Bassingbourn Camp have been charged with offences relating to incidents in Cambridge.”

“This is a matter for the civilian police and it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this stage,” he continued, “We have a close working relationship with the Cambridgeshire Police and will continue to assist them in any inquiries."

Over 300 armed forces personnel arrived from Libya in June for six months of training in infantry and leadership skills, part of a UK government offer to train up to 2,000 cadets to help stabilise war-torn Libya.

It is understood that the Libyan soldiers were permitted to leave the base at certain times during their 24-week course.

Abdalsalam and El Maarfi reportedly stole three bikes and left their base before cycling into the university city centre where they struck on Sunday night. One victim was walking on her own at 10.30pm when the men approached her before touching her. El Maarfi then exposed his penis to her.

They then met two more women and sexually assaulted them.

Mr Paul Brown, prosecuting, told the court: "These women were by themselves at night and they were vulnerable."

The men are also being questioned about six other sex attacks on women which occurred on the 17th October.

Police, however, do not believe that the men had any involvement with the serious sexual assault which occurred on a man on Christ’s Piece on the 26th October, and are continuing with their investigations. 

Anyone with information pertaining to either of these incidents can contact police by calling 101, or anonymously calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There are many support services available if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article:

Linkline 01223 744444

Samaritans 08457 909090

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre 01223 245888

This article was edited on Wednesday 29th October to clarify that El Azibi was not obliged to enter a plea.