A man has appeared in court accused of travelling to rape a child in Wiltshire.
Defendant Brian Smith, 67, of Holbrook Close, Enfield, Middlesex, was arrested by officers in Swindon on Wednesday (15 December).
Appearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (16 December), he entered no indication of pleas to charges of causing a child to watch or view an image of sexual activity and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
Kate Prince, prosecuting, alleged Smith had travelled to the county following an online conversation with a person purporting to be the mother of a child.
It’s claimed the conversation was “highly sexualised” and he later visited Swindon with the intention of raping a nine-year-old.
Ms Prince alleged he had arrived with “provisions” to use during the rape.
The Crown Prosecution Service asked for Smith, who is married, to be remanded in custody, and solicitor Emma Thacker did not object on her client’s behalf.
He was remanded in custody to attend a plea and trial preparation hearing at Swindon Crown Court in the new year.
