Dead children’s father held on underage sex charges

A British man was extradited to the UK from Spain yesterday on child sex charges - the same day that his two children were found dead in a Spanish hotel and his wife was arrested for their murder.

Martin Smith, 45, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates Court today. He faces trial on six counts of rape against a girl under 16 as well as charges of gross indecency and attempted rape. The alleged offences took place between 1995 and 2005 in Cumbria.

Smith, who is from North Shields, was apparently one of Britain's most wanted men before he was picked up by police in Barcelona on May 7.

Cumbrian police said in a statement: "During [Martin Smith's] court hearing it was disclosed that...Smith's wife, 43-year-old Lianne Smith, has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of his two children."

Lianne Smith was held yesterday after she called emergency services to her room, 101, in the Hotel Miramar, where her children lay dead. She is suspected of murdering Rebecca, 5, and her 11-month old brother Daniel in the four-star hotel in the resort of Lloret de Mar in northeast Spain.

Police have said there were no signs of violence on the children's bodies, but they will not confirm reports in the Spanish media that they were suffocated, nor that Lianne Smith confessed to their murder.

There is still considerable confusion over what the family was doing on the Costa Brava. While it is generally believed they were there on holiday, Martin Smith was on a list circulated by Crimestoppers of British suspects thought to be hiding out in Spain. Lianne and her daughter were also reported missing from Staffordshire in December 2007.

Martin Smith was remanded in custody and will appear at Carlisle Crown Court on June 7. ·