A 23-year-old man yesterday denied sexually abusing three young children.

Jason Mark Cappleman, of North Marine Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was said to have carried out indecent assaults on a girl and two boys aged between six and 12, attempting to rape the boys and commit gross indecency with children between 1991 and 1996, after making them watch pornographic videos.

He pleaded not guilty at York Crown Court to 15 offences, in Suffolk, and at Scarborough, where Mr Cappleman lived in a Trafalgar Square bedsit.

Andrew Dallas, prosecuting, said the proceedings began as a result of the children telling their mother last year.

He claimed Mr Cappleman had used violence and psychological warfare during the abuse.

He alleged Mr Cappleman threatened to beat up the children and that during the attack on the two boys they were screaming with pain.

Mr Dallas said at the time of the alleged abuse Mr Cappleman would be aged between 14 and 19.

The hearing continues.