A teenager thought to be behind a series of street sex attacks on young women appeared with his mother in court today.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with four counts of indecently assaulting girls in Hartlepool between March 19 and 27 this year.

The youngster, who is local, appeared before Hartlepool magistrates court to also answer a charge of attempted robbery from February 11 this year.

He was granted conditional bail, to live at his parents' home address and not interfere with witnesses, and was committed to Teesside Crown Court on October 31.