In a historic sexual abuse prosecution, the court considered allegations by two sisters that their step-father sexually assaulted them over a period of years, including repeated vaginal intercourse with one complainant beginning when she was 11 or 12 years old.
Applying the W.(D.) framework in a credibility-centred trial, the court accepted the complainants' evidence despite the passage of time and rejected the accused's blanket denial.
The court found timely disclosures, corroborative surrounding circumstances, and detailed recollection sufficient to establish the offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
Findings of guilt were entered on all four counts, with further submissions invited on the rule against multiple convictions.
