The allegations against Alan Hughes (49), and Bertram Hughes (45), cover a number of years, a Preston Crown Court jury has been told.

Alan Hughes, of Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford, near Clitheroe, faces 15 charges involving one alleged victim. These include four allegations of rape, seven indecent assaults, two of assault by beating, and two of indecency.

Bertram Hughes (45), of Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, and formerly of Salterforth Caravan Site, is accused of four indecent assaults on the same girl.

His brother faces seven further charges of indecent assault in relation to two other children.

Both men also deny a joint charge of indecent assault – the prosecution allege they took part in a "threesome" with one of the girls.

Mr Jeremy Lasker (prosecuting) told the jury two of the girls were regular victims of sexual activity in many forms.

The first girl, now an adult, was abused over an eight-year period in the 1990s and lost her virginity to Alan Hughes who involved her "in all manner of sexual behaviour", alleged Mr Lasker.

She was also the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of the other defendant.

When the girl had angered Alan Hughes, he used violence and punched and kicked her, say the prosecution. She was raped when she was a teenager, said Mr Lasker.

The second girl was also a teenager when she was allegedly abused by Alan Hughes after being plied with drink.

Mr Lasker said the third girl was sexually abused when the opportunity arose. Alan Hughes had had sex with her by the time she was 14.

The jury was told some of the offences were committed in Earby and some in Wales.

Mr Lasker told the jury that what happened amounted to the "most dreadful behaviour".

Alan Hughes had allegedly told the first girl he "could get done" and "put away". Matters came to light when a complaint was made, and when interviewed by police both men denied the offences.

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