7 June 2010 Last updated at 08:06 ET

Spain death children's father on sex charges

Mr Smith is accused of sex offences against a child aged under 16

A man whose wife is accused of killing their children in Spain has appeared in court on child sex offences.

Martin Smith is charged with rape, attempted rape, gross indecency and indecent assault of a child under 16.

The charges are unrelated to those facing Lianne Smith, 43, being held in Barcelona on suspicion of murdering Rebecca, five, and 11-month-old Daniel.

Mr Smith, 45, of North Shields, entered no plea at Carlisle Crown Court and was remanded in custody until 27 July.

A provisional trial date has been set for 1 November.

Officials in Spain said Mrs Smith had admitted asphyxiating her children

He was arrested in Barcelona on 7 May and extradited to the UK.

The couple's children were found dead at the Hotel Miramar in Lloret de Mar, on the Costa Brava, on 18 May.

Post-mortem examinations established they died of asphyxiation.

Mrs Smith has appeared in court and admitted asphyxiating her children with a plastic bag, Spanish court officials said.