A FATHER-of-two, accused of attempting to rape two teenage girls, claimed marks on his face were the result of him being attacked, a jury has been told.

Winchester Crown Court heard Michael Traynor, 24, told his girlfriend he had been in a fight at a nightclub and had later been jumped on by three men.

The prosecution alleges that Traynor, of no fixed address but formerly of Kings Road, South Ham, attacked the girls as they walked home from Bud's bar through West Ham Leisure Park in the early hours of September 29 last year.

His girlfriend, Nicola Bridges, the mother of their two children, told the court she had been out that night in Reading.

She said she arrived home in the early hours and saw Traynor with bruises and what looked like scratches on his face.

She told the court he said he had been in a fight at Bud's bar, which resulted in him being ejected, and had then got into a fight with the same man outside. He said that as he walked home, he was jumped on by three men.

Traynor's sister, Michelle, told the court that he had given her a similar account.

Traynor denies attempting to rape the two 16-year-olds and alternative charges of indecently assaulting them.

He also denies indecently assaulting a 29-year-old woman who was walking home from Bud's bar in November, 2000.

Charles Gabb, prosecuting, told the jury the case was all about identity, with Traynor saying he was not the person responsible for the attacks.

In evidence given by the two girls, the jury heard that one had picked Traynor out at an identity parade, saying she was 90 per cent sure about the identification.

However, the other girl - who had said she felt she would recognise the attacker again - had not picked anyone out.

The prosecution concluded its case on Friday and the defence case is due to start today.

The trial continues.