An alleged paedophile, formerly of North Shields, whose wife is accused of murdering their two children in a Spanish hotel is to appear in court.

Martin Smith, 45, is accused of a string of sex offences and failing to answer to bail.

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

Smith 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 charges of rape of a child under 16, gross indecency with a girl under 16, indecent assault of a girl under 16 and attempted rape of a girl under 16.

Smith, who has lived at various addresses in Carlisle, was stopped by the Spanish Civil Guard 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.

A provisional trial date was set for November 1 on his last appearance at Carlisle Crown Court. His plea and case management hearing is due to take place at the same court from 10am on Tuesday.

via Father of children found dead in Spain faces court – National News – Peterborough Today.