The mother of two children allegedly subjected to years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their father has given evidence the man was an “angry and volatile” drinker who would “take it out” on his young son.
Shocking details of the violence the man allegedly inflicted on his boy – who was around four or five at the time – was told to the jury as the woman took the stand on the second day of the man’s trial at Brisbane District Court.
The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has pleaded not guilty to a raft of serious charges, including three counts of rape.
Defence lawyer Simon Lewis told the court his client would give evidence that he denies any allegations of sexual abuse by either of his children.
On Wednesday, the woman gave evidence that the man drank “well above” social drinking levels that she claimed occurred “every day”.
The woman said his drinking xjmtzywescalated towards the end of their relationship and the outbursts became worse.
“He was loud, angry, volatile,” she said.
“He would scream so close to my face, I could feel spit … more and more anger and nastiness came out.”
She said she discovered empty bottles of alcohol stashed around the house – including in her son’s room – as well as in the man’s truck.
The woman told the court the man’s son “bore the brunt” of him when he was drinking and going into tempers.
“He (the man) just seemed to take it out on (his son),” she said.
“When I defended or tried to assist (my son), he turned on me, then.”
She claimed he would say his son was a “mummy’s boy” and “needed to toughen up” but treated his daughter “like a princess”.
The woman told the court of an occasion where the man “lost his temper” while his young son was dancing to music being played on TV.
She gave evidence the man grabbed the boy by the scruff of the neck, causing him to choke, before throwing him into the bedroom.
She said on another occasion the man carried his son by his arm to his room, leaving a visible hand print on his arm the next morning.
“It got worse; as his drinking got worse, picking on (the son) got worse,” the woman said.
The crown alleges the sexual abuse was directed at his young son and daughter more than a decade ago.
It is further alleged the man punched, kicked and beat his children, threatened to kill the son if he told anyone about the abuse and at times locked his daughter in a garage closet if she did not comply.
Both children are now adults.
Mr Lewis told the jury on Wednesday afternoon his client would give evidence on Thursday.
He said his client accepted he grabbed his son by the arm on one occasion and dragged him to the bedroom, but denied grabbing him by the throat, punching him, choking him or “otherwise assaulting him in any manner” as the son alleges.
“My client will tell you he could well have been better as … a partner, that he did on occasions drink too much, that he does have a temper particularly when drinking, and on occasions he has physically disciplined (his son),” Mr Lewis said.
“He denies importantly any of the allegations of sexual abuse by either of the children.”
The trial continues.
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