A church minister "systematically abused" six young male inmates over a 10-year period when he worked as a prison officer in a juvenile detention centre, a court heard today.

Neville Anthony Husband, 65, of Shotley Bridge, County Durham, used his position of authority at Medomsley Detention Centre to sexually abuse the youngsters from the 1970s to 1980s, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Mr Husband, who is charged with 15 counts of indecent assault and one of buggery, is now a minister in the United Reformed Church, and responsible for two churches in Gateshead.

Two of the alleged victims of the abuse were brothers who were at the detention centre at different times. Another, who is due to give evidence later in the trial, is serving a life sentence. Jamie Bell, for the prosecution, said Mr Husband had been in charge of the kitchens at the institution, near Consett.

He is alleged to have abused the six teenagers, aged between 16 and 19, on a number of occasions between January 1975 and August 1985.

He said: ''The prosecution say he systematically abused inmates who were chosen to help him in the kitchen of the detention centre.'' Mr Husband denies all the charges.