The two-week trial of a Wanganui man facing historic sexual charges against three sisters started in the Wanganui District Court yesterday.
The man who has interim name suppression, pleaded not guilty to 13 charges (12 sexual charges with one a charge of assault).
The charges are: one of rape of a girl under 12, two of attempted rape of a girl under 12, nine of indecent assault of a girl under 12 and one of assault with intent to injure a girl under 12.
The charges were all alleged to have happened up to 36 years ago, between 1972 and 1982 in Wanganui.
Judge Michael Radford is presiding, the Crown prosecutor is Harry Mallilieu and the defence counsel is John Rowan. In his opening address, Mr Mallilieu said the charges related to a sad story of siblings trapped in sexual abuse by a man who regularly visited their home.
He said the case had been actioned after the eldest girl, now in her 40s, had visited the man years later, in September 2006, and asked him why he'd done what he did to her when she was a girl.
The woman had taken a small tape recorder switched on in her pocket and had taped the man's answer - an apology.
She then took the recorder and the tape to the police.
The three girls were aged between 7 and 12 when they were abused by the man. Each had described a distinctive tattoo the man had.
Mr Mallilieu said a recurring theme throughout the case had also been allegations of spiked drinks (cups of tea) given to the girls by the man.
They alleged they had been given cups of tea that had had an "indescribable, bitter taste", he said.
Mr Mallilieu told the jury the defence was likely to say that it never happened and that the women, now in their 30s and 40s, had colluded to fabricate the charges in order to get money out of the man.
"So you need to be aware and observe each witness carefully. Make an assessment of the witness and their credibility, remembering they are telling you about abuse that happened up to 30 years ago, when they were school children."
Mr Mallilieu emphasised that prejudice, sympathy and emotion must be put to one side while jurors were considering the case.
"Common sense and understanding of the facts are essential," he said.
Opening for the defence, John Rowan said the defence case would include a large amount of evidence of photos and documents. He said the alleged offences simply had not happened.
Eight women and four men were selected initially for jury duty yesterday. However, one woman was excused from jury duty by Judge Radford after the prosecution opening address.
A reason was not given. The trial proceeds with 11 jurors.
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