Trial begins for man accused of pulling women's teeth with pliers

A man is alleged to have pulled his victims' teeth out with pliers as he was having sex with them. Photo / file

The trial of a man who has been accused of tearing women's teeth out with pliers while having sex with them, began at Wellington District Court today.

Wellington man Philip Lyle Hansen is facing 11 charges, including assault and sex charges.

Hansen has denied the charges, which include using pliers to pull out a total of 12 teeth from three separate victims.

The charges span over a period of more than 20 years from 1988 to 2011, and are said to have occurred at various locations in the Hutt Valley area in Wellington.

In her opening address today, Crown prosecutor Sally Carter told the jury that throughout the trial they would hear evidence about Hansen's bizarre fascination, and obsession, with women's teeth.

The relationship Hansen had with the women has been suppressed.

"[He] bizarrely had a fascination with their teeth, or a fascination or obsession with them not having any teeth," Ms Carter said.

"He liked his women without teeth."

She explained how he allegedly pulled one victims bottom teeth out, before taking her to the dentist to get the rest of her teeth removed.

He then allegedly broke her dentures to ensure she stayed a "gummy lady", Ms Carter said.

It is alleged he would also put his hand into the mouths of victims and wiggle their teeth during sex.

As well as this, there were allegations that Hansen cut the toes of one of his victims.

Hansen was arrested in December 2012. His name suppression was lifted in September last year.

The trial before Judge Bruce Davidson and a jury of nine men and three women continues.