A MAN accused of a string of child sex offences is being allowed to walk the streets of west Wiltshire after he was released on bail following a court appearance.

Bruce Stewart, 69, of Greenhills in Edington, faces nine charges of sexually abusing children under 13 and four counts of possessing indecent photographs.

He was arrested last week and appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Thursday. (July 17) Despite the Crown Prosecution Service appealing for him to be remanded in custody before he stands trial in a crown court, the magistrates decided to release him on bail.

The CPS immediately lodged an appeal and Stewart was taken before a judge in Swindon the following day.

But the judge, hearing the case in closed court, upheld the magistrates' decision and he was released on bail.

Stewart has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges. He has not been bailed to his home address.

The mother of two of his alleged victims said she is horrified someone facing such a serious charge has been released on bail and not been remanded in custody.

The 27 year old, who cannot be named to protect the identities of her children, said: "I am concerned because they have put him in an estate and it is the school holidays.

"He is walking free and has a car and everything.

"I just thought how can they let him free?

"It's horrendous when something like this happens. All I've been able to do is sit down and cry.

"I haven't been able to sleep. I just sit on the sofa looking out through the curtains.

"I just never imagined something like this could be going on. It's your worst nightmare."

She said the children's charity Barnardo's and social services have offered to help with counselling for her children.

PC Tim Carnohan, of Wiltshire Police's Child Protection Unit, said: "The police opposed bail but the case went through the justice system and bail was granted."

Stewart faces three charges of engaging in sexual activity that could be observed by a child under the age of 13.

He has also been charged with three counts of intentionally causing a child under the age of 13 to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.

And he faces three charges of intentionally causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature.

The offences are all alleged to have taken place between May 31 and September 1, 2007, April 30 and July 5, 2008 and July 6 and 13, 2008.

He is also accused of possessing indecent photographs up to level 4 which is the level given to the more serious images depicting child rape.

Stewart will next appear at Swindon Crown Court on September 12.

4:25pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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