Jeffrey Epstein’s private paradise of Little St James in the US Virgin Islands allegedly became the centre of his international sex trafficking ring.

The island property that Epstein called home was often used to host celebrities and famous personalities. But the island over the years gained a handful of sinister nicknames: “Orgy Island,” “Pedophile Island,” and “Island of Sin.”

It soon became the centre of a web of lawsuits and criminal investigations seeking to untangle the life of Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 at the age of 66 in what authorities said was a suicide.

But what is the truth about the 75-acre island? Io Dodds reports.

The couple was routinely photographed with high profile public figures including Donald Trump, and Bill Clinton, as well as Prince Andrew.

However, when allegations of sexual exploitation against Epstein surfaced, Ms Maxwell’s involvement was also claimed.

According to prosecutors, she created a network of underage victims for Epstein to sexually exploit. A victim said that Ms Maxwell and Epstein “worked as a team” in “grooming” girls” to be sexually abused by the disgraced financier.

Here’s the full story of how the two met and ended up getting caught up in sexual exploitation charges.

She has been in prison awaiting the start of the trial for 15 months – since she was tracked down by the FBI and arrested in July 2020.

The daughter of deceased media mogul Robert Maxwell spent decades rubbing shoulders with British royals and US presidents. But now she could be sentenced to up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges.

Here’s everything you need to know about the incarcerated British socialite.

As the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell is about to begin, questionnaires have already been sent out to potential jurors in the case and her fate will be decided in the next six weeks at Manhattan courtroom.

Federal prosecutors have charged Ms Maxwell with conspiracy and enticing minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and the transportation of minors to engage in criminal sexual activity for allegedly grooming and recruiting underage girls from 1994 through 1997.

She is also being charged with sex trafficking of a minor from 2001 to 2004, in addition to one count of sex trafficking conspiracy. If convicted, Ms Maxwell, 59, can spend upto 35 years in jail.

Here’s everything you need to know about the trial and charges against the British socialite.

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog covering the start of the six-week trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.