The trial of a man facing more than 30 sex charges against eight girls under 16 has begun in Wanganui.
Daniel Bell, 39, pleaded not guilty to eight charges of indecent assault of a girl under 12, 12 charges of rape, three of unlawful sexual connection and nine of indecently assaulting a child. He pleaded guilty to one charge of indecency with a girl aged between 12 and 16.
A jury of five men and seven women was selected for the trial, which began at the Whanganui High Court before Justice David Collins yesterday.
Bell's alleged offending occurred between 1995 and 2010 in various locations throughout Wanganui and later Napier. About 30 witnesses will be called throughout the trial. Defence lawyer Fergus Steedman also told the court Bell would take the witness stand himself.
In his opening address Crown prosecutor Harry Mallalieu said Bell had been sexually offending against young girls for a long time and had an "ability to befriend parents and form bonds of trust".