Girl, 8, plied with alcohol, court told

File photo / NZ Herald

A young woman who has accused a former Hastings jockey of repeated rape, sexual and physical abuse from the age of six, told a court today he began plying her with alcohol when she was about eight.

David John Frethey, 55, now a sickness beneficiary, pleaded not guilty in Napier District Court today to nine charges of rape, sexual and physical assault against the girl between the ages of six and 14, and eight counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Crown prosecutor Steve Manning told the jury that Frethey befriended the girl's mother, giving her money and providing transport, while embarking on systematic sexual abuse of the child that became more brazen and violent as the years went by.

Mr Manning said Frethey first raped her in the bedroom of a house where he was boarding when she was about 12.

The girl, who will be cross-examined by Frethey's lawyer Russell Fairbrother tomorrow, told the court Frethey was a heavy user of alcohol and cannabis, and he started giving her alcohol when she was about eight, before abusing her.

She said her mother discovered the abuse when she found her in a bedroom with Frethey, who had his trousers around his ankles and while she hit on his bare buttocks with a stick.

Mr Manning told the court Frethey subsequently went around telling people he had been diagnosed with cancer, to win sympathy, although no such diagnosis had been made.

Frethey showered the mother and daughter with money and gifts, but also used violence against the girl to force her to have sex with him and stop her telling anyone, Mr Manning said.

At the age of 14, the girl told her story to a welfare officer. Frethey then set about systematically trying to discredit anyone he thought might give evidence against him, Mr Manning said.

The trial is expected to last until next week if Frethey takes the stand in his own defence.

- NZPA