A TEENAGER who offered to look after a sick boy and his six-year-old sister tried to rape the girl and showed both children porn, a court heard.

Michael Hauxwell befriended the youngsters when one of the children became ill and offered to look after them to give their parents a break.

But Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday the 19-year-old showed the sister and brother pornographic images on his mobile phone.

It is also alleged he showed the ten-year-old boy a pornographic movie. The offences are said to have taken place over Christmas and New Year last year.

Mr Hauxwell, of Crossfield Road, Darlington, denies three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual assault and attempted rape of the six-year-old.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said: "When Hauxwell's family were informed of the illness they were very supportive and they offered to look after children to give the parents a break.

"On a couple of occasions, the defendant picked the children up from school and him and his mother have taken them out for the day."

Mr Dodds said, on December 28, the children visited the defendant's home between 2pm and 8pm before dropping them back at their home.

It is alleged he took the girl into the bathroom where he performed a sex act on her.

The court heard on New Year's Eve the girl told her father she had seen the defendant's private parts.

The boy - now aged 11- said he had seen the accused with his sister under and alleged the defendant had shown him a pornographic movie.

The children's parents had a confrontation with Mr Hauxwell before calling the NSPCC and the police.

The trial continues.