A husband and wife have appeared in court accused of subjecting a young girl to a string of horrific sexual assaults over a period spanning three years.

The child was just five years old when the ordeal began.

The pair, aged 56 and 27, cannot be named for legal reasons and appeared separately before magistrates at Llanelli court this morning (Thursday).

Neither entered formal pleas but defence solicitors for both indicated that they intended to deny all charges when they appeared at crown court.

Magistrates were told how the woman faces 14 charges, which are alleged to have taken place in Whitland between July 31, 2013, when the victim was only five years of age and June 28, 2016, when the girl was eight.

She is accused of carrying out a sex act on the child, inciting the youngster to carry out a disgusting sex act on her, four charges of sexually touching the girl, six charges of inciting the girl to touch her in a sexual manner and one charge of taking grossly indecent photographs of the child.

In addition, she faces a further charge that between July 31, 2013, and June 20, 2016, she either caused serious physical harm to the girl or failed to take steps to prevent such harm being caused to her.

The husband faces a total of 21 charges relating to alleged offences against two young girls.

The court was told he stands accused of four counts of having penetrative sex with the same girl between July 31, 2013 and June 20, 2016, and a further four counts of forcing her to perform a sex act on him.

He is also charged with taking indecent photographs of the child during the same period.

He is further accused of either causing serious physical harm to the girl or failing to take steps to prevent such harm from being caused to her between 2013 and 2016.

In addition, he faces nine further charges relating to the sexual assault of a second girl in Cardigan between May 1, 2004, and April 9, 2006.

Prosecutors allege he performed a sex act on the girl, then aged between nine and 11, on three separate occasions.

He also faces three charges of inciting the schoolgirl to touch him in a sexual manner and three further charges of sexually touching her.

All the charges relate to the same two-year period.

Magistrates sent the case to crown court, remanding the pair into custody until they appear at Swansea for a plea and case management hearing.

The woman broke down and sobbed when she was informed she would not be released.

The pair will appear at Swansea to enter pleas on August 21.