Family friend accused of using sex toy on girl, 13

A girl told a court how a trusted family friend sexually assaulted her with a sex toy when she was 13 years old, before later having sex with her.

The witness, now 17, was giving evidence in the trial of a man accused of two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of defilement of a child on various dates between Oct 1, 2009, and Aug 19, 2010.

The man is also accused of one count of sexually exploiting the girl to engage in a sexual act by sending her explicit mobile phone text messages.

Colman Cody, defending, said the man accepted he had texted the girl hundreds of inappropriate text messages.

Mr Cody said the man freely admitted giving the girl hugs, but only because she was “sad” and “got comfort from their chats”.

In evidence, the girl said the first attack happened in Oct 2009 when she called to the man’s home looking for sponsorship money.

She said the second attack happened when the man tried to kiss her at his home in January 2010.

The third attack allegedly occurred in March 2010.

The girl said: “He called me upstairs.” She added that the man had a sex toy which he used on her.

She said the man again asked her to visit his house in July 2010 when he had sex with her.

The court heard there was no DNA evidence linking the accused to the alleged sex crimes.

Under cross-examination, the girl said she would confide in the man about personal problems.

The man denies all five charges.

The trial continues.