Girl made to eat soap, court told

A Northland man raped a young girl and also made her eat soap and watch pornography, a jury has heard.

Kingi Povey, 62, is on trial in the Whangarei District Court.

Povey is facing five charges of rape, five of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, four of sexual conduct with a young person under 16, four of indecency with a girl under 12, and three of indecently assaulting a girl under 12.

On Monday, Crown prosecutor Catherine Anderson told the jury Povey inappropriately touched the girl and forced her to touch him on numerous occasions. On one occasion he made her eat half a bar of soap before forcing her to perform an indecent act.

Povey told the girl she couldn't tell anyone and that "it will be their little secret".

Ms Anderson said on another occasion Povey told the girl to watch a pornographic film, and learn from it.

Povey raped the girl twice that day, the Crown alleged.

Defence lawyer Sumudu Thode told the jury that Povey had acknowledged some offending by pleading guilty to three charges.

On Monday, Povey admitted two charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and one of sexual conduct with a young person under 16.

However, he denied any other offending, Mr Thode said.

Judge John McDonald is presiding over the week-long trial.