The mayor of Pitcairn Island, a British colony in the Pacific Ocean, has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and indecent assault. Prosecutors from New Zealand have said that there is an ingrained culture of having sex with underage children on the island, but local women have said that the practice is island tradition and consensual.

The seven men facing sexual abuse charges are expected to challenge Britain's authority over the island as part of their defense. BBC News has more. Watch a video report on the trial from Australia's ABC News [additional video formats available here].

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Pitcairn trials delayed; women defend suspects
• Pitcairn Island sex trial slated for Monday could destroy Bounty mutineers community