A 24-YEAR-OLD Cirencester man accused of trying to snatch a young girl off the street in Ashton Keynes, has been remanded in custody after appearing in court.

Alexander Benfield faces allegations of trying to grab the nine-year-old in the Park Place area last Saturday, while she was with two other children on an errand to the village shop for her mother.

Benfield, of Lawrence Road, was arrested on Monday and appeared before magistrates in Swindon on Tuesday, to face the allegations of attempted kidnap and actual bodily harm.

No charges were formally put to him and he did not enter any pleas to the matters, which must go to the crown court.

Gareth James, defending, asked for his client to be released on bail but the bench refused and remanded him in custody. 

He will appear at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, August 11, when he is due to enter pleas to the two charges.

In the incident, the girl was allegedly grabbed but managed to run away. She was shaken but unhurt.

However, she did sustain some grazing to her knees after being allegedly dragged, the court was told on Tuesday.

Det Con Gemma Lumley said: “This was obviously a frightening experience for the victim, who did the right thing by reporting the incident to her parents who then called the police.”

A Facebook post on Tuesday by Swindon equestrian business Rein & Shine confirmed that riding instructor Benfield had worked there. 

The post explained that the company had been helping police with their investigation and that all staff were subject to BDS checks before being employed.

“We have been touched by messages for support for the yard - thank you all. We have been helping police since Monday with their inquires into freelance groom Alex Benfield who worked for us.

"Over the weekend outside of Rein & Shine, Alex was arrested.

“Again thank you for your messages of support in what is a difficult time.”

The magistrates imposed an order preventing identification of the victim.