Man, 26, accused of childhood rapes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Wapping, Bradford, man began attacks on girl when she was six, court told

7:17pm Thursday 15th April 2010 in Wapping By Jenny Loweth, T&A Reporter

A 26-year-old man began a catalogue of sexual abuse and rape against a girl when she was six and he was ten, a jury heard today.

Paul Evans, of Falmouth Avenue, Wapping, Bradford, denies seven charges spanning 1993 to 2000.

His brother, Lee Morris, has already pleaded guilty to three offences of raping the girl, between 1997 and 2000. Morris admitted the offences on Wednesday, the day before his brother’s trial began today, the jury at Bradford Crown Court was told.

Evans denies two offences of indecent assault, when the girl was aged six and seven, and five of raping her when she was eight to 12-years-old.

Prosecutor Nick Askins told the court the abuse took place in the Undercliffe area of Bradford.

Mr Askins alleged that Evans threatened to hurt the girl if she complained to her mother.

Evans is claimed to have told his brother: “It’s OK, you’re allowed to,” when he was caught with the girl.

Mr Askins said Lee Morris then joined in. “Sometimes, one brother would watch the other in the act of rape,” Mr Askins said.

He alleged Evans began sexually touching the girl when she was six. When she was eight, he starting raping her and continued on a weekly basis until she was almost 13.

Mr Askins said Evans pinned her by throat as she screamed for him to get off the first time he raped her.

In May 2008, the girl told her tutor that the brothers were raping her.

Evans was arrested in November 2008 and denied sexually abusing or raping the girl.

Mr Askins said Evans would have a defence to allegations that he sexually abused the girl when he was aged ten to 14 if the jury found he did not realise at the time that he was doing wrong. “The prosecution case is that he knew his behaviour was seriously wrong,” Mr Askins said. The trial continues.