A POIGNANT scene from the TV soap Hollyoaks prompted two boys to tell their mother they had been sexually abused, a court heard yesterday.

The brothers, giving evidence by video link at York Crown Court, denied they were persuaded by their "furious" mother to concoct the story against Jason Mark Cappleman, 23, who is alleged to have made them and their sister sometimes watch porn films before molesting them.

Mr Cappleman, of North Marine Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, denies indecently assaulting the girl and two boys, when they were aged between six and 12, and attempting to rape the boys. He also denies gross indecency.

He faces a total of 15 offences, which allegedly took place in Suffolk and Scarborough, between 1991 and 1996.

The jury was told by Andrew Dallas, prosecuting, that Mr Cappleman was dealt with at York Crown Court, in 1996, after admitting indecently assaulting the boys' mother as she slept.

During cross-examinations by defence barrister Robin Denny, both boys said they knew about certain allegations made by their mother against Mr Cappleman.

They denied they had been "put up to tell lies" by their mother.

One of the boys said they had told their mother after watching an episode of Hollyoaks involving sexual abuse.

Mr Dallas claimed the accused had been violent and had threatened to beat up the children if they told anyone.

The case continues.