A MAN has gone on trial accused of raping a young boy when he was a teenager.

Christopher Todd is alleged to have sexually abused the boy on a number of occasions more than 15 years ago.

The 31-year-old was confronted by his alleged victim after they unexpectedly bumped into each other in a B&M shop in Darlington in April 2019.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court Todd spoke to the alleged victim's mother in the shop before a confrontation took place in the car park.

Mr Abrahams said the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had told his family about the abuse he suffered between October 2003 and October the following year.

Three days after the altercation, the man attended Darlington Police Station and lodged a formal complaint against his alleged attacker.

The barrister said: "He was ten or 11 when he was touched inappropriately by the defendant while they were playing on a Playstation and he was eventually raped by him."

Mr Abrahams said the accused told police that the allegations were either 'fabricated or imagined'.

Todd of Grangeside, Darlington, has pleaded not guilty to eight charges including two of rape, sexual activity with a child and indecent assault.

The trial is expected to last for five days.