Man on trial for alleged sexual assaults of stepdaughter

A North Island man has gone on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting and attempting to rape his stepdaughter over a period of five years, starting when she was 8.

A North Island man has gone on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting and attempting to rape his now 13-year-old stepdaughter over a five-year period.

The jury trial for the man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, began in the Hamilton District Court today and is set down for seven days.

He is defending 22 charges, some of which are representative.

The man has denied three charges of sexual conduct with a child under 12, 13 charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, three of doing an indecent act with intent to insult or offend, two charges of sexual conduct with a person under 16 and one of attempted sexual violation by rape.

Crown prosecutor Geraldine Kelly told the court the offences are alleged to have been committed regularly over the years when the victim was aged between 8 and 13.

At the time, the man was the complainant's stepfather and the offences occurred at several homes the family had lived in, in two different cities.

However, the offending not only involved the complainant, the Crown allege, but also her sister and their friends.

"He not only focused his interest on the victim but he also would take the opportunity when both her and her younger sister had friends over to display his penis to them and her friends."

Kelly said the complainant will testify that the offending happened to her two to three times a week in several areas around the home including the bedroom and lounge, and occurred when her mother was in the shower and her sister was in bed.

She will give evidence that the accused took her clothes off and touched her indecently, forcing her to perform a sex act on him.

The offending is also alleged to have occurred in a vehicle while the defendant dropped her off at her friend's house.

Kelly said it got to the point that the complainant told her mother she no longer wanted to go to her friend's house.

The complainant, her sister and friends will also give evidence.

The sister will testify that when she and her friends were playing with their pretend stove in the lounge, the accused showed them his penis.

A former colleague of the accused will also give evidence about a conversation they had just after the charges were laid.

Defence counsel Phil Morgan QC opted not to give an opening submission.

The trial is being held before Judge Glen Marshall.