Woman kept quiet on abuse to protect sister

By STAFF REPORTER

In New Plymouth a woman waited nearly 55 years before telling police her brother-in-law sexually abused her because she feared her sister would kill herself if she found out, the High Court at New Plymouth heard today.

The woman is giving evidence against a 77-year-old Taranaki man who faces five sex-related charges.

The offences are alleged to have begun when the woman was five years old. She is now aged 61.

The man has been charged with two counts of rape, one of sexual abuse and two of procuring an abortion. The man has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Under cross-examination by Crown Prosecutor Michele Wilkinson-Smith the woman said she kept quiet for so long because she believed her sister would commit suicide if the offending "got out".

The trial before Justice Tony Randerson and a jury continues.