A FATHER-of-three accused of raping a 14-year-old girl in his bed told police he had been asleep at the time of the alleged attack.

Peter Graveling denies indecently assaulting and raping the teenager at his home in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on October 9 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard he was arrested by detectives shortly after the attack was said to have taken place but insisted he had been asleep and knew nothing of the allegations.

DNA evidence found on his genitals matched the teenager's and there was a one in a billion chance it could not have been hers, the court heard.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said: "He said there had been no sexual contact of any kind. He said the girl had told him she wished she was older as they would be good together but he had told her he was not interested."

Mrs Egerton said the defendant had called the girl two months earlier and said he wanted to have sex with her but Mr Graveling told police he thought he had been speaking to someone else.

He said no sex of any kind had ever taken place and that he had been set up by the girl who had entered into a collusion with his ex-wife.

Mr Graveling, of Bakewell Place, Newton Aycliffe, said he had received an anonymous phone call from a woman who warned him he was about to be set up.

The prosecution alleged when police told him of the DNA evidence the defendant said the girl must have raped him in his sleep.

In cross examination by Rod Hunt, defending, the girl - now aged 15 - admitted her aunt had written a note detailing what she should say in court but denied she was trying to set up the defendant.

The trial continues