A RIDING instructor who is accused of trying to snatch a young girl off the street has been remanded in custody by a judge.

Alexander Benfield appeared at Swindon Crown Court accused of attempted kidnap of the nine-year-old in Ashton Keynes last month and causing actual bodily harm.

But the case was put off to Friday, September 22, and no charges were formally put to the 24-year-old, who did not enter any pleas.

Benfield, of Lawrence Road, Cirencester, is said to have tried to grab the child in the Park Place area of the village on Saturday, July 8.

Gareth James, defending, did not seek bail for his client and Recorder Richard Onslow remanded him in custody until the next hearing.

The young girl was with two other children when they were going to the village shop. It is alleged she was grabbed by a man, though she managed to get away after her knees were scraped when, it is said, she was dragged along.