AN autistic man was abused by his one of his carers who told him to keep it secret or face being told off, a court heard yesterday.

David Ridley is said to have warned his alleged victim that he would have his toys taken from him if he told anyone of his ordeal.

Mr Ridley, from Hurworth, near Darlington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court for a trial which is expected to last five days.

The 55-year-old has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder by a care worker last year.

When he was arrested, he denied that anything inappropriate had happened at the middle-aged man's home in the Darlington area.

Amanda Rippon, prosecuting, said fellow workers became concerned about Mr Ridley's behaviour shortly after he joined the care team.

One colleague kept notes in her diary of inappropriate things she is said to have seen or heard, Miss Rippon told the court.

The jury heard that Mr Ridley repeatedly requested to do night shifts, which would have meant he was alone with the alleged victim.

He is also said to have asked a manager if his family was very involved and if the man had ever made an allegation about a carer.

In February last year, the man said a number of things which made members of staff concerned, Miss Rippon told the jury.

During an outing, he is said to have told carers that "nasty man" Mr Ridley sometimes got onto his bed and touched his legs.

Two months later, he left two members of staff "stunned" when for the first time he spoke about oral sex, said Miss Rippon.

He described Mr Ridley as "a nasty man" and said that he had warned him what would happen if he told anyone their secret.

The jury heard that staff had concerns about Mr Ridley, of Straight Lane, Hurworth, within weeks of him starting work.

The case was adjourned until today.