Woman tried for fondling brothers

The trial of a Masterton woman accused of sexually assaulting two brothers while she was a border at their house began in Wellington District Court yesterday.

The 30-year-old woman, who has name suppression until the end of the trial, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting the boys between December 2004 and May 2005.

At the time one boy was aged between 11 and 12 years and the other was aged 9. Both have permanent name suppression.

Judge Cecilie Rushton said the boys would give their main evidence by videotape but would be present in court, shielded by screens, to answer lawyers' questions. Their mother was set to be the first Crown witness.

The trial was due to last three days but was adjourned after lunch as a witness had not handed over material to the Crown. This witness was out of the country.

The accused was remanded on bail until next Tuesday when another trial date will be set.

Crown prosecutor Tiana Epati earlier told the court the accused lived in a sleepout behind the home where the boys lived with their mother and siblings.

Over five months, as a treat, the accused would let the boys sleep in her bed, Ms Epati said. The Crown alleges that during these sleepovers the woman would kiss the boys passionately, touch them sexually and get them to touch her.

Initially the accused got on well with the children but their mother had noticed some odd behaviour, such as the children massaging the accused.

Eventually their mother forbade them from going to the sleepout.

Early last year the mother gave birth to her fifth child. When the accused took the boys to see her in hospital both seemed withdrawn, Ms Epati said.

The younger boy told his mother something was going on and the woman was told to move out.

Initially the older brother denied anything had happened. Days later he told police something had happened but he was too embarrassed to tell when first interviewed.

The charges are representative, meaning the offending happened on several occasions.

- NZPA