‘Family’s worst nightmare’: Man accused of sexually assaulting boy, 7, faces trial

A MAN accused of sexually assaulting his seven-year-old nephew has faced the first day of his trial in the Supreme Court

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A MAN accused of sexually ­assaulting his seven-year-old nephew has faced the first day of his trial in the Supreme Court.

The man, 19, pleaded not guilty on Monday to one count of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of indecent dealing with a child under 16 years.

The court heard the man was alone in a bedroom with his nephew earlier this year when the alleged incident ­occurred.

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Crown Protector Carly Ingles said the victim is a “vibrant and bubbly boy” who loves games he can play on screens.

The court heard the boy’s uncle had a TV with a play­station and he and his nephew were playing Grand Theft Auto alone in the bedroom when he allegedly sexually assaulted his nephew. Shortly afterwards, the boy vomited and his mother, who was at the residence at the time, noticed he was not himself.

Ms Ingles told the jury that after leaving the residence with several other family members, she asked her son what was wrong, and he told her “the accused had been rude to him and had hurt him”.

The court heard the boy did not undergo a formal sexual assault examination as he became scared when he arrived at the clinic, but testing on the inside of his shorts returned positive DNA from the accused in three separate areas.

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Ms Ingles said there were “feelings of betrayal, distrust and shock” for the family, who are “in the middle of a family’s worst nightmare”.

Defence lawyer Tanya Collins said there “was not a lot of dispute” about locations and dates but “there is a big dispute about what’s happened in the half an hour where it’s alleged (the man) may have had the opportunity to sexually assault his nephew”.

The trial continues today.