A MAN accused of raping two under-age girls told one of his victims "it's my house, my rules and I can do what I like", moments before forcing himself on her, a court has heard.

Daniel Hawke, 22, who was living on a farm in the Holsworthy area at the time of the alleged rapes, has pleaded not guilty to eight charges.

He claims he did not have sexual activity with either teenager, both of whom were under 16 at the time.

Hawke, whose more recent address is Hersham near Bude, has denied assault by penetration of one girl and a separate charge of raping her. He has denied two rapes of the second girl.

He has also pleaded not guilty to two alternative charges of sexual activity with a child for each girl.

Andrew Oldland, prosecuting, told Exeter Crown Court the first girl was raped at Hawke's house.

Mr Oldland said Hawke was "moody", repeatedly asked her for sex despite her refusals and offered her drink.

He then crept into her bed when she was asleep and began to touch her.

Mr Oldland said the girl told Hawke "no" and struggled but became "paralysed with fear" and submitted without calling for help from other people who were staying there.

"He warned her not to say anything or there would be trouble," said Mr Oldland.

Hawke then allegedly raped the other girl after arranging to drive her to his home and propositioning her for sex.

"She was clearly reluctant, not truly consenting and he replied to her she had made him drive all the way there for nothing and he wanted sex," said Mr Oldland.

"She was frightened and there on her own and she submitted."

The court was told that Hawke sent mobile text messages afterwards, including offering to marry her.

On another occasion, Hawke persuaded the girl to get into a car where he was already sat with another man, said Mr Oldland.

The other man, who was not involved in the alleged offences, stayed in the car, while Hawke took her to a deserted shed.

"She was pushing him away," he said.

"He used his superior strength to put her against the wall and have sex."

He added: "She felt ashamed and disgusted."

Others later found out about the allegations involving the girls and police were alerted.

When interviewed, Hawke said he knew both girls but neither had been at his home and he had not driven the second teen to a layby.

"What he's saying is no sexual activity ever happened with either girl," said Mr Oldland.

The trial continues.