A Middlesbrough councillor has appeared in court after being accused of child sex offences.

Cllr David Smith, who represents Coulby Newham on Middlesbrough Council, has been charged with nine counts of sexual touching of a child.

The 30-year-old has denied all allegations against him and says he will fight to clear his name.

He appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Cllr Smith resigned from the Conservative Party in July after news of his prosecution emerged but intends to remain as a councillor.

In a statement issued last month he said: “I completely reject these spurious allegations and removing myself from the party will ensure I can focus all my efforts on fighting to clear my name."

Cllr Smith has been a councillor for just over three months after being elected in May.

Read updates from the hearing below