A PENHILL man appeared in the dock at Swindon magistrates today accused of child sex offences.

Christopher Bradford, 35, faces five charges – attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity, attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

Bradford, of Oaksey Road was sent to Swindon Crown Court for trial and remanded on conditional bail to an address in Hereford until February 9.

His bail conditions include no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, not to use any social media including Facebook and daily reporting to the police.

His arrest followed an incident where police were called to the house shortly before midday on Sunday.

Eight men were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and have now been released under investigation.

The men, all aged between 25 and 45, were from Yorkshire and London.

A Wiltshire police spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the allegations made by a vigilante group and these are being investigated as part of this inquiry.

“We would always urge members of the public to speak directly to police if they have any information about a crime, rather than posting on social media or speaking to vigilante groups.”

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact DS Lou Morley on 101. Alternatively information can be left anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.