A PENSIONER faces nine charges of indecent assault on children under the age of 14.

Reginald Smith, 76, who lives in The Groves, off Whitworth Road, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court yesterday. He faces six charges of indecent assault on two young boys and three on a girl.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between January 1984 and April 2004.

Smith, who was in court briefly before the case was adjourned to go to a committal hearing, spoke only to give his name and address.

He was accompanied to court by two women and he was wearing a white shirt with a red tie and a cream v-neck jumper, grey trousers and a blue overcoat.

He has not yet indicated how he will plead to the charges.

He was given bail on the condition that he does not contact the victims.

Smith is due back at Swindon Magistrates Court on June 24.

The case will eventually be dealt with in the Crown Court, as the charges are too serious for magistrates to preside over.