SCIENTIFIC tests on two men at the centre of rape claims showed one had sex with the accuser and there was "strong support" to suggestions the other did.

DNA attributable to the alleged victim was found in "significant" levels on the inside of underwear taken from Craig Whitelaw and Kristofer McLaren.

The results are "fully in keeping" with Mr Whitelaw having penetrative or intimate contact with the teenager, and go against Mr McLaren's claim he had no contact.

A statement from forensic scientist Sharon Doone was read to a jury at Teesside Crown Court today (Wednesday, February 4) as the case for the prosecution neared a close.

It is claimed the two men led the drunken teenager from the Amadeus nightclub in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and raped her in an alley last August.

Mr Whitelaw - who had ten pints and five bottles of lager - accepts having sex, although said when he was arrested: "It's just lasses attention-seeking."

Mr McLaren told police he had seven pints, and there had been no sexual contact between him and the alleged victim, and they would find no evidence.

In a taxi away from the scene, Mr McLaren told the driver they had had a threesome, and one of them said: "She didn't know what she was doing and it was rubbish."

Witnesses who saw her afterwards, described the teenager as looking as though she had been in a fight, covered in blood, dishevelled, bruised and grazed.

Mr McLaren, of Rymer Way, Thirsk, and Mr Whitelaw, of Sutton, near Thirsk, each deny two charges of rape, and Mr Whitelaw a further count of sexual assault.

Cross-examining the accuser, defence barristers suggested that she kissed both men, both aged 21, inside the club and left willingly with them.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe told the jury of ten men and two women that Mr McLaren and Mr Whitelaw took advantage of the teenager being "highly intoxicated".

The jury heard that her blood alcohol levels - twice the legs limit for driving - would have put her in an "excited" state not "confused".

The report from forensic expert Ms Doone said: "The scientific findings are fully in keeping with the view that Craig Whitelaw has had sexual intercourse.

"It provides extremely strong support for the view that Kristofer McLaren had been involved in some form of sexual intercourse with [the complainant]."

The trial will continue tomorrow (Thursday, February 5).