Middlesbrough councillor David Smith denies child sex charges

Image source, Teesside Live

Image caption, David Smith will return to court in September

A Teesside councillor has appeared in court to deny a string of child sex offences.

David Smith, 30, who represents Coulby Newham on Middlesbrough Council, has been charged with nine counts of sexual touching a child.

Teesside Magistrates' Court was told the alleged offences date back more than a decade.

After a brief hearing he was granted conditional bail and told to appear at Teesside Crown Court on 4 September.

Mr Smith, of Rainsford Crescent, Middlesbrough, resigned from the Conservative Party and Middlesbrough Council Conservative Group after his arrest.