BOYS at a former North Yorkshire children's home were punched and sexually abused by a bullying house warden, a jury was told.

James Littlewood grossly abused his position of trust at St Camillus Roman Catholic Community Home School, at Scarthingwell, near Tadcaster, and at another children's home outside North Yorkshire, alleged William Harbage, prosecuting, at Grimsby Crown Court.

"During his time at both homes, his treatment was cruel and violent, putting them in fear of him," he said.

"The residents were vulnerable youngsters. He was in a position of trust. The prosecution will say he grossly abused that trust."

He said Littlewood was a bully who liked to rule the roost, who was described by some former residents as being like a Sergeant Major, of being a "control freak", and of ruling with a rod of iron.

Littlewood, now 58, of Wrawby, near Scunthorpe, is accused of three offences of cruelty and one serious sexual offence at St Camillus between 1975 and 1978, and a further 12 cruelty offences, four serious sexual offences and one indecent assault at the other children's home between 1978 and 1990.

He denies all the charges.

Mr Harbage told the jury that St Camillus - which closed down years ago - had been a community home school run by the Catholic Rescue Society, taking boys aged between 13 and 18 from a wide area. Littlewood was the warden at one of the houses.

He said one former resident, now aged 42, said he had not liked it at the school and had run away with another boy, but been caught and brought back by the police.

Littlewood had taken them into his administration office, shouted at them and punched both boys hard in the stomach. The boy had doubled up in pain. Later he told his father, who complained to St Camillus, but was told he had made it up. The boy later tried to harm himself with a rusty tin lid.

Another boy, also now 42, who went to St Camillus after his parents had split up and he had been put into local authority care, alleged he was subject to a serious sexual offence in a cupboard at the school.

A third boy, also in his 40s now, was allegedly punched by Littlewood. He was frightened of him but did not complain at the time because he was frightened he might be assaulted again.

Mr Harbage alleged that a fourth boy, now 39, had not liked it at the home and had run away twice. On one occasion, after being returned to the home by a social worker, he was given a beating by Littlewood.

The trial continues.

Updated: 11:04 Friday, April 12, 2002