A KARATE instructor who is on trial over sexual allegations has branded as "a load of rubbish" claims that he is a power crazy predator.

Brian Matthewman is accused of molesting two martial arts pupils but today told a jury that there is no truth in the girls' allegations.

Mr Matthewman, 40, is alleged to have indecently assaulted the youngsters during the 1990s, when he held classes at venues across Teesside.

He faces five charges and has been on trial at Teesside Crown Court for three days. The jury will continue its deliberations tomorrow morning.

The court heard that Mr Matthewman was a highly-respected instructor who, in 1996, won an award for being the best in the country.

He told the jury that he had many star pupils and had trained at least 15 British champions during his coaching career.

In 2003, he was arrested after one pupil claimed she had been fondled by Mr Matthewman, but the charges were not pursued to court.

Posters showing Mr Matthewman's photograph and branding him a paedophile were then put up in Yarm, where he was teaching.

He told the jury that the hate campaign made him angry and upset, and his then-girlfriend, Zoe - now his wife - contacted the police.

Mr Matthewman was arrested again in January last year after another girl - another former karate student - made allegations against him.

Giving evidence yesterday, the one-time title winner told the jury of seven men and four women: "We have had over a year of pain."

He told his barrister, Jonathan Walker, that he could not understand why the allegations had been made, and had never done anything wrong.

Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, suggested Mr Matthewman was attracted to the girls and took advantage of them. He replied: "No, I did not."

"It was not just about gratification, it was more about power and control, and they are telling the truth about what you did," said Miss Mallett.

Mr Matthewman replied: "No they are not."

Mr Walker said: "It has been suggested that you are a power-crazed predator who preyed on these girls for sexual gratification."

The defendant replied: "I say it's a load of rubbish."

Mr Matthewman, a former bricklayer, of Amberley Way, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, denies five charges of indecent assault.

(Proceeding)