A man accused of attempting to touch a six-year-old and an 11-year-old in two separate shops in Tenby on a busy Saturday in the seaside town, has been remanded in custody.

A Tenby man has been remanded in custody accused of attempting to touch two young girls in a sexual manner when they were visiting shops in the town centre.

Fifty-one-year-old Stephen James, who when appearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday (September 19) gave his address in court as Clareston Court, Station Road, Tenby, entered no pleas to the charges of attempting to ‘sexually assault a girl under 13 by touching’ - which are alleged to have occurred on Saturday, September 16.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that James’ behaviour was ‘bizarre’ with the allegation that he observed both children as they walked around the shops on their own.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case has now been adjourned to Swansea Crown Court on October 20 for plea and trial preparation.

The defendant was remanded in custody with magistrates stating that this was for risk of him further offending, or attempting to interfere with the witnesses prior to his Crown Court hearing.