GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: This story includes graphic detail of alleged sexual assaults.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A man charged with maintaining a sexual relationship with his daughter between her fifth and 14th birthdays has pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court in Burnie.
The 37-year-old is on trial for crimes that allegedly occurred between 2005 and 2014 at various locations in North-West Tasmania.
The jury heard the charge of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person relies on three unlawful sexual acts alleged by the complainant.
READ MORE
Crown prosecutor Luke Brett said the use of the term "relationship" in the charge is "somewhat misleading" as it does not relate to a mutually agreed upon relationship between two consenting parties.
"There was no element or mutual understanding of agreement here," Mr Brett said in opening statements.
The complainant is now 18-years-old, and gave evidence via video link the Supreme Court in Burnie on Monday.
She cannot be named as the law protects the identities of victims of alleged sex crimes, and as the accused man is her father identifying him would risk identifying the complainant.
She told the court her father had sexually assaulted her on five separate occasions during her childhood, starting when she about five-years-old.
The jury heard the complainant's parents were 17-years-old when she was born, and have not been together since she was about three-months-old.
She said her father sexually abused her on five separate occasions across the North-West when she was staying with him during her childhood.
She alleged on one occasion when she was sharing a bed with her father at her grandfather's home, her father climbed on top of her and rubbed her vagina with his hand before trying to have sex with her.
"I tried to yell out for [my grandfather] and he covered my mouth," the woman told the court.
I tried to yell out for [my grandfather] and he covered my mouth.
The court heard the allegations came to light after the girl told her mother in 2015, before making a formal complaint to police.
The trial before Justice Robert Pearce continues.
If this article raises concerns for you or anyone you know contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 131114.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox?