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A Wairarapa man has gone on trial today for the historic rape and sexual assault of a five-year-old girl.
The man, who was granted name suppression, appeared in Wellington District Court this morning facing charges dating back to 1999 of rape, assault and unlawful sexual connection with a child under 12.
Crown prosecutor Ian Murray said the man, then a teenager, "opportunistically" took advantage of the girl while her parents socialised at his family home.
Mr Murray said the girl was assaulted on a number of occasions including one instance when she was being cared for by the accused and his girlfriend at the time.
A complaint was only made to police after the girl, now 13, undertook a self defence course.
The trial was expected to last several days.
- NZPA
