All nine were remanded in custody after appearing briefly before the magistrates' bench.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their name, age and address, before the case against them was adjourned until a preliminary hearing at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, July 19.

The five women, four men and two teenage boys, were charged with a number of offences including kidnap and assault, following an investigation by CID officers into incidents in the West Norfolk area involving two people in April 2013.

Violet Chilton, 56, of Rands Terrace, Dades Lane, St John's Fen End, has been charged with false imprisonment and assault.

Thomas Chilton, 28, Rands Terrace, Dades Lane, St John's Fen End, has been charged with kidnap, two incidents of assault and false imprisonment.

Jason Chilton, 26, of Rands Terrace, Dades Lane, St John's Fen End, has been charged with two incidents of assault and false imprisonment.

Laura Ann Dolan, 36, of Two Sisters Close, Sutton Bridge, was charged with false imprisonment, attempted wounding with intent and kidnap.

Wayne Dolan, 35, of Walpole Marsh, Walpole St Andrew, was charged with false imprisonment and attempted wounding with intent.

Edward James Dolan, 37, of Walpole Marsh, Walpole St Andrew, was charged with kidnap, two counts of false imprisonment, attempted wounding with intent and assault.

Sheila Conboy, 55, of Walpole Marsh, Walpole St Andrew, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment, assault and attempted wounding with intent.

Vanessa Frankham, 48, of Wisbech Road, Walpole St Andrew, was charged with false imprisonment and assault.

Natalie Jayne Cooper, 22, of Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, who was charged with false imprisonment was granted conditional bail by the court with condition of residence, curfew (electronically monitored).

A 17-year-old youth from the Wisbech area, charged with two counts of false imprisonment, attempted wounding with intent, kidnap and two incidents of assault was also remanded in custody.

Another 17-year-old youth from the Sutton Bridge area, charged with kidnap was released on conditional bail.