A 34-year-old man has appeared before city magistrates accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.

Paul Jones, of Jamaica Street, faces seven charges, all relating to incidents that are alleged to have taken place in 2004. Neither of his alleged victims can be identified for legal reasons.

Magistrates yesterday committed the case to Bristol Crown Court, where a preliminary hearing is due to take place next week.

Jones was remanded in custody.