A Bradford man has appeared in Court charged with a string of sexual offences in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Gary Mawson, 30, of Woolcomb Court, Heaton, is accused of four offences of indecent exposure, one of sexual assault and another of common assault.

At a hearing at Bradford Magistrates’ Court this morning, the Bench was told the allegations relate to a series of incidents reported in Burley-in-Wharfedale between last November and this February.

Mawson, who had shaved, black hair, was led into court by two probation service security officials who stood either side of him in the dock as he spoke to confirm his name, age and home address.

Wearing a long-sleeved, blue and yellow sports top and blue jeans, Mawson spent much of the six-minute hearing with his gaze lowered towards the floor.

His solicitor Nigel Jamieson did not make an application to the magistrates for his client to be released on court bail.

Prosecutor Saj Hussain successfully applied for a Section 39 order to be made under the Children and Young Persons Act to prevent seven female witnesses aged under 18 being named.

Mawson was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of sexual exposure on a train between Menston and Ilkley on January 26.

It followed a joint investigation between Airedale and North Bradford CID and British Transport Police.

Chairman of the bench Bruce Gate adjourned the proceedings for Mawson to appear at Bingley Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Mawson was led away to the cells to be remanded in custody.