A MAN accused of a string of child sex offences “coerced” and bribed his victims with money and video game access, a court heard.

Liam Cann, 23, of Blind Lane, Goldhanger, has denied 24 offences concerning underage boys between 2006 and 2014.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard yesterday how the six alleged victims exchanged messages with Cann via text, social media and e-mail.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, claimed Cann had “coerced” the boys into engaging in sexual activity by various means.

He said: “This is a case concerning serious allegations of child abuse and it goes without saying that it is difficult to imagine a more emotive subject in our community at this time.

“The case concerns allegations of sexual offences by Liam Cann towards six different boys, all of these boys under 16 years of age at the time the incidents occurred and in some cases significantly under 16.

“At all times the Crown says the defendant Liam Cann was significantly older than the six boys.”

The 24 charges relate to sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, taking and showing indecent photographs of children and attempting to pay for sexual services of a child.

The Crown claims that Cann bribed the boys into engaging in sexual acts by way of money, the offer of video game “points” and threats.

He said Cann had “pestered” and “befriended young boys for his own sexual gratification”.

Mr Rose said: “It is the Crown’s case that Cann was the instigator with sexual activity.

“The prosecution says that throughout he was always aware – it would be obvious to him – the young men he was dealing with would be younger than him.”

A police investigation started after the mother of one of the boys reported Cann to the NSPCC in 2012.

The trial continues.