Trail opens of man accused of raping five-year-old

James Prior, of Horsham Road West, is accused of sexually molesting the girl, who for legal reasons can not be identified, while he was staying at her father’s home.

The 22-year-old is also charged with sexual assault of a child under 13, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and touching a child under 13 in a sexual way.

He denies all the charges.

The jury sitting at today’s trial, at Chichester Crown Court, were played a recording, as part of the prosecution’s opening statement, of the moment the girl told her mother of the supposed crimes against her.

Prosecutor Jonathan Davies was quick to stress to the jury that his opening statement was not to be considered as evidence, at this point. He told them that this would be coming as the trial proceeds.

However, he said that he wanted to make a point to the jury about what the youngster sounded like and told them that this recording, along with other points, would be discussed in more depth, in the coming days.

The court heard how the recording was captured on girl’s mother’s iPhone. The jury heard the girl saying that Prior had shown her his “willy” on different occasions and that at one point he had entered her bedroom where, she claims, he assaulted her.

Summarising the girl’s interview with police, which was made days after her recording on her mum’s phone, Mr Davies told the court: “She said that James came into her bedroom.

“She said that he {Prior] put his willy in my bottom.

“He asked, ‘Is that nice’. She said ‘no’.”

Mr Davies continued saying on another occasion: [Prior] got his willy out and with one hand on his willy he shakes it up and down and something comes out. It was a white thing that went on his hands.

“She went on to say that he had touched her ‘ninny’, he ninny being her private part – her vagina.”

The defence has yet to open its case.

The trial will continue tomorrow (Friday, March 15).