A RYEDALE man has gone on trial accused of sexually abusing two girls and a young woman during a six-month period.

Steven Grant faces 11 allegations of sexual assault, one of attempted sexual assault and one of indecently exposing himself to one of the girls.

The 37-year-old man from Maltongate, Thornton-le-Dale, denies all 13 charges.

Opening the prosecution after the jury was sworn in at York Crown Court on Tuesday, Sophie Drake said that two of the alleged victims were sisters. The third was a girl who was was 16 at the time of the alleged offences.

The barrister claimed that Grant committed four sexual assaults of two different types against the 16-year-old. He also attempted to commit a sexual assault on her, alleged Miss Drake.

Grant faces four allegations of sexual assault of two different types against the younger sister when she was also under 18. The prosecution claims he also indecently exposed himself to her.

The older sister was a woman when she was allegedly sexually assaulted three times.

When interviewed by police after his arrest, Grant denied that he had behaved in a sexual way towards any of the three alleged victims.

The trial continues.