A Northland man touched two teenage girls inappropriately in a marae while trying to take his cigarette lighter back, a jury has heard.
Leon Grant O'Connor, 40, is on trial in the Whangarei District Court this week on five charges of performing an indecent act on girls between the ages
of 12-16.
The Crown alleged the acts occurred in the Far North in late 2008.
Crown solicitor Mike Smith said the alleged events took place at the marae while both complainants were up late.
Mr Smith said the pair were talking to O'Connor and one of them borrowed a lighter. On the guise of attempting to obtain the lighter back, Mr Smith said O'Connor sexually assaulted one of the girls.
