Spain deaths man denies sex charges

Alleged paedophile Martin Smith has denied a string of sex offences
12 April 2012

An alleged paedophile whose wife is accused of murdering their two children in a Spanish hotel has denied a string of sex offences.

Martin Smith, 45, pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three of attempting to rape, four of indecent assault and one charge of indecency with a child. The charges relate to offences allegedly committed between May 1995 and April 2004 against one child.

Smith, who wore blue jeans and a blue fleece top, spoke only to enter his not guilty pleas during a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.

He was remanded in custody until his trial at Manchester Crown Court, with a provisional date fixed for November 1.

His daughter Rebecca, five, and son Daniel, 11 months, were found dead in the Hotel Miramar in the resort of Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava on May 18. Their mother, Lianne Smith, 43, is being held by Spanish police on suspicion of murder.

She has appeared in court and admitted asphyxiating her children with a plastic bag, Spanish court officials said.

Smith, formerly of North Shields, was arrested in Spain on May 7 after the family left the UK in 2007 following his initial arrest over child sex allegations. He allegedly jumped bail while facing sex offence charges.

The Spanish Civil Guard stopped Smith, who has lived at various addresses in Carlisle, in Barcelona and checks alerted officers to his wanted status in the UK.

Mrs Smith was formerly a manager at Cumbria County Council's children's services department but did not work directly with children.

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