A Canberra man has gone on trial for allegedly molesting his stepdaughter for years, including when she came to his bed after bad dreams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the 47-year-old, who cannot be named, has maintained his innocence to seven indecent acts against the girl two decades ago.
His barrister Steven Whybrow told the jury to note the "interesting timing" of the woman's complaint to police in 2006, which came after her mother and the accused swore affidavits in a court custody battle.
The Crown, represented by Margaret Jones, have alleged the stepfather sexually abused the girl repeatedly after marrying her mother when she was still a young child.
He is accused of touching her genitals while giving her a piggy back at a family barbecue, forcing her to touch his penis, abusing her on a couch, and in her bunk bed at their southside home.
It is alleged that crimes also occurred when the girl came into her stepfather's bedroom after having a bad dream.
She got into the bed, where the stepfather is accused of touching her inappropriately.
The ACT Supreme Court is expected to hear evidence that she complained to her grandmother first, but asked her not to tell anyone.
The Crown say she complained again when her mother split with the accused in 2003, and her mother and grandmother took her to their doctor, who made notes of the allegations.
No complaint was made to police until 2006, and charges against the man were not laid until 2013.
Mr Whybrow used his opening to the jury to warn there would be discrepancies in the various versions the complainant gave about the acts.
He said it was strange that the grandmother did not do anything when the young girl first told her she was being touched inappropriately, and again when she was told a second time.
"She doesn't do anything, and then the next time [there is a complaint], they don't do anything, and then they go and see the doctor, they don't do anything," he said.
He said there were disputes about property and child custody, as well as changing family dynamics, playing out in the background to the allegations.
Mr Whybrow said his client and the complainant had never got along and had always "butted heads".
He told the jury his client denied the allegations, and that the Crown bore the onus of proving them beyond reasonable doubt.
"These offences did not occur," he said.
"He doesn't have to prove to you he didn't do it."
The trial continues before Justice Richard Refshauge on Wednesday.
