A MAN will appear in court this week accused of carrying out two sex attacks on elderly women in their homes.

The 28-year-old single man from Seaham, County Durham, who has not been named, was arrested on Friday after police investigating the incidents began taking DNA samples from men in the Westlea area of the town.

Following questioning by detectives, he was charged on Saturday with two offences of indecent assault on women.

The first allegation relates to an assault on a 78-year-old widow at her home in Watling Avenue, Seaham, in January, while the second related to an attack on an 87-year-old widow, of Windermere Road, Seaham, on August 6.

He is also facing a charge of attempted theft from a motor vehicle in 1999.

He will appear before North Durham magistrates at Peterlee today.