A 44-year-old man from Belfast appeared for trial at Belfast Crown Court on Monday. He faces 12 counts of rape, 19 counts of common assault, five counts of child cruelty and nine other sex offences. The charges relate to three siblings and span January 14, 2017, to May 10, 2021. The defendant denies all allegations.

Richard Weir KC, senior prosecution counsel, addressed a jury of six men and six women. He stated the man began a relationship with the children's mother in 2016 and later moved into her home with her two daughters and son. Early in 2021, the children entered the care of their maternal grandmother following a family crisis.

In April 2023, social services reported to police that one complainant wished to discuss alleged sexual abuse by the defendant. Police conducted achieving best evidence interviews with a teenage girl the next month. Weir KC said she described sexual and physical assaults over four years.

The counsel outlined allegations from a second girl of assaults including being stamped on, kicked and struck with objects between ages five and eight. The youngest boy, according to Weir KC, reported being pinned, punched, stamped on and confined to his room.

Police interviewed the defendant, who denied the claims and cited erectile dysfunction. Weir KC told the jury the evidence would prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt on all counts.