A man and woman have appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court charged with the female genital mutilation (FGM) of a 3-year-old girl.
The couple, who both have addresses in east London, are each accused of committing FGM offences on 28th August last year.
The girl is understood to have been rushed to hospital soon after the incident, where she underwent emergency surgery to stem the bleeding. The couple are believed to have blamed the wounds on a household accident.
The woman, a 36-year-old Ugandan national, is further accused of possessing an extreme pornographic image and of publishing videos of sexual activity with animals.
The man, a 42-year-old from Ghana, faces charges of possessing an extreme pornographic image and of publishing videos of sexual activity with animals.
He is also accused of possessing indecent videos of a child, while the woman is accused of distributing an indecent video of children.
The couple entered not guilty pleas in relation to each of the charges against them.
Prosecutor Paul Okabu said: "This is a serious matter that is highly unusual and complicated in many ways.
"FGM is a serious offence but also is a cultural issue."
District Judge Gareth Branston remanded the pair in custody. They are due to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 31st August 2018.
The maximum penalty for an offence contrary to section 1 of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 is 14 years imprisonment.
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