ALEXANDER Benfield has been remanded in custody today by Swindon magistrates charged with the attempted kidnap of a nine-year-old girl in Ashton Keynes on Saturday.

The 24-year-old riding instructor of Lawrence Road, Cirencester, was committed to Swindon Crown Court to face the allegation that he grabbed the girl while she was with two other children on an errand to the village shop at lunchtime for her mother.

He is also accused of causing her actual bodily harm by dragging her, scraping her knees.

Benfield made no plea when he appeared in the dock. An application by his solicitor Gareth James for bail was denied by the bench.

The magistrates imposed an order preventing identification of the victim.