THREE men who run the Nanford Guest House were yesterday released without charge by child sex exploitation police.

Brothers John, 48, and Bartholomew Cronin, 49, and their father Jeremiah, 81, were arrested at their Iffley Road hotel in June.

The raid came after seven members of a grooming gang were convicted of drugging, raping, and sex trafficking vulnerable girls as young as 11.

The four-month Old Bailey trial heard underage girls were taken to the Nanford, given alcohol and drugs, and made to have sex with men.

Five of the six victims who testified against the gang told the court they were often taken to the budget bed-and-breakfast and abused.

The Cronins were arrested on suspicion of being a landlord letting premises for use as a brothel, causing or inciting child prostitution for gain, and encouraging or assisting in an offence believing it will be committed, namely rape and causing child prostitution.

They had answered bail earlier this month, but were told yesterday they were no longer being investigated.

Yesterday, Bartholomew Cronin said he did not feel “relieved” to be released without charge because he was innocent.

He told the Oxford Mail: “We are completely innocent of the charges. Obviously not guilty.”

He added: “It is a very straightforward hotel business. There is no difficulty in understanding what we are about.”