FOUR family members accused of keeping a woman as a slave at a house appeared before a judge for the first time today (Monday).

Sakina Bibi, 67, Rabia Mobin, 27, Tariq Mahmood Siddique, 47, and Javid Iqbal, 42, left Teesside Crown Court hiding their faces.

They are charged with holding another person in slavery and servitude a a Stockton address by using force and threat of force.

The relatives are thought to be the first in the North-East charged under new anti-slavery laws which came into effect in 2010.

The charges - which carry a possible prison sentence of up to 14 years - cover a period from last November to July this year.

All four people face two slavery charges and one of common assault, while the women are also accused of causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Iqbal, of Yarm Road, Stockton, is also alleged to have intentionally arranged entry into the UK for a person with a view to exploiting them.

His mother Sakina Bibi and sister Rabia Mobin, and Saddique, all of Osborne Road, Stockton, appeared alongside him in the dock.

None of the defendants entered a plea - a new hearing will be held in early November - but the court heard they will deny the charges.

A trial - which could take up to three weeks - will be held in the New Year, possibly February, said Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC.

The judge granted all four bail, with a number of conditions, until their next appearance.

All four must reside at their home address and report to Stockton police station on Mondays between 9am and 2pm.

Judge Bourne-Arton told them they cannot apply for any travel documents, or leave the UK. They have surrendered their passports to the police.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett told the court: "I understand it is going to be a trial. The Crown has a number of outstanding lines of inquiry."