A former athlete is currently on trial in the High Court on allegations that he sexually abused his young daughter over a period spanning more than a year.

According to Wadadli Case Files, the matter is being heard before Justice Ann Marie Smith and an all-female jury. The accused faces two counts of serious indecency and one count of indecent assault.

Prosecutors allege that between April 2022 and April 2023, the man committed a series of sexual offences against the child while she was living in his care. The allegations include claims that he inserted his finger into the child’s private parts, pressed his genitals against her buttocks, and touched her buttocks on separate occasions.

According to the prosecution’s case, the alleged abuse began sometime after the child turned eight years old.

The complainant took the witness stand this week and gave evidence detailing the alleged incidents. She told the court that when her father’s girlfriend was not at home, he would call her into his bed, tell her to remove her clothing, and then carry out the acts alleged by the prosecution.

The child also described her reaction when, after being sent to live with her grandmother, her father later attempted to bring her back into his care. She said she cried and resisted because she feared he would repeat what he had allegedly done to her.

Under cross-examination by defence attorney Wendel Alexander, the child rejected suggestions that she had been coached by her grandmother or anyone else to make the allegations. She maintained that she was telling the truth.

The child’s grandmother also testified during the proceedings, outlining the circumstances under which the child came to live with her.

She told the court that the complainant had been living with the accused in early 2022 and that they had maintained a good relationship until June of that year, when he blocked her from contacting him. According to her evidence, she was only able to communicate with her granddaughter through another family member.

The grandmother said that on May 12, 2023, the accused brought the child to live with her and provided a weekly contribution of just over $100 toward her upkeep.

She further testified that on a later occasion, the accused came to collect the child, explaining that he wanted to spend time with her for his birthday. However, she said the child became extremely upset, crying and insisting that she did not want to go with him. The grandmother told the court she eventually found the child hiding in a closet.

The witness also recalled another occasion that same month when the child reluctantly accompanied her father but returned shortly afterwards because she had become inconsolable.

During cross-examination, the grandmother firmly rejected suggestions that the allegations had been fabricated. She also denied claims that disagreements between herself and the accused over the child’s care had motivated the complaint.

The grandmother confirmed that police had visited on two occasions after the accused reported being denied access to the child. She also acknowledged that she was unaware he allegedly possessed court documents indicating the child should have been residing with him.

The trial continues before Justice Ann Marie Smith.