Rape trial for husband of murder-accused mother

Martin Smith, 45, who had regular access to the girl, abused her for almost a decade from when she was aged just seven, Manchester Crown Court heard.

He would attempt to hypnotise, hit and bully his victim to ensure she complied, it is alleged.

Smith's own daughter, Rebecca, five, and son Daniel, 11 months, were found dead in the Hotel Miramar in the resort of Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava on May 18.

Their mother, Lianne Smith, 43, is being held by Spanish police on suspicion of murder.

Yesterday, her husband stood in the dock at Manchester Crown Court at the start of his trial, facing 11 specimen charges of rape, attempted rape, indecency with a child and indecent assault, spanning nine years from May 1995 to May 2004.

Smith, originally from North Shields, denies all the charges.

Before the case began, trial judge, Mr Justice Stephen Irwin, told the jury: "This is a case where some of the background has led to national publicity.

"This defendant's partner, Lianne Smith, is currently in Spain awaiting trial for the killing of her two children, this defendant's children.

"At the time of the deaths this defendant was in custody in England awaiting trial and was not linked, and is not linked to the deaths in Spain at all."

Opening the case for the prosecution, Hilary Manley, told the jury of seven women and five men: "This case concerns, what the prosecution say, was systematic and prolonged sexual abuse by this defendant over a period of about a decade.

"A course of conduct by this defendant which developed over the years into increasingly sexual assaults on her."

"He would attempt to hypnotise her, although she would simply pretend to be under the influence of hypnotism," the prosecutor added.

In 2007 Smith's alleged victim felt "sufficiently strong" to report the abuse to police and he was arrested in November of that year.

The trial was adjourned until today, when the alleged victim, now in her 20s, will give evidence.