Man on trial for allegedly raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter

A Bundaberg stepfather has pleaded not guilty and is on trial in the District Court this week for the alleged rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

A Bundaberg stepfather is on trial for the alleged rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

A Bundaberg Region stepfather has pleaded not guilty and is on trial in the District Court this week for the alleged rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

The man is charged with committing indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16 under care, and rape.

Crown prosecutor Sandra Cupina told the court the girl’s mother and stepfather met when the girl was eight years old, and the child and man had a strained relationship.

In the days leading up to the alleged abuse the man had been asking the child for back rubs and cuddles in bed, the court heard.

At one point, she put his hand on his leg and he then placed her hand on his penis, it heard.

Then he digitally raped her, Ms Cupina said.

A Bundaberg Region stepfather leaves court during his trial for the alleged rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

“She said to the police ‘I wanted to say something but I couldn’t get it out’,” Ms Cupina said.

Over the following weekend the girl told her mother of the incident.

In other evidence the court was told the child was having behaviour problems at home and at school around the time of the alleged offences.

“You said words to the effect of you could not handle (your daughter) these days and that she was constantly lying at home,” the defence lawyer suggested, to which the mother agreed.

He proposed that the 12-year-old didn't want her stepfather around anymore and wanted to break the couple up.

The mother disagreed with this.

The case is ongoing, with further witnesses expected to testify.

The trial continued on Tuesday.

Originally published as Man on trial for allegedly raping his 12-year-old stepdaughter