Prosecutors say a woman who suffered bruises to her neck when she was allegedly raped by the father of her children hadn't told anyone what happened at first because she was "ashamed and embarrassed".
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But lawyers for the man argued the former couple often had "rough" casual sex early in their relationship and the woman's allegations were lies in the midst of a child custody battle as the defendant's ACT Supreme Court jury trial began on Tuesday.
The man, 30, pleaded not guilty to six charges that included sexual assault and rape allegedly committed against the woman over several years.
Prosecutor Trent Hickey said the pair started to have casual sex after they met in 2010 and went on to have two children together before the relationship soured.
"Over time he became more controlling, and over time she became more isolated."
Mr Hickey said the defendant, whose name has been suppressed, called the woman to his house one night in 2011.
He appeared intoxicated before he grabbed her and kissed her aggressively.
The man pinned her against a wall, groped her and put his hands around her throat.
She resisted but he kept going, saying words to the effect of "you're a dirty slut" and "who's my bitch?".
He allegedly raped her in his bedroom.
The next day she noticed bruises on her breasts, inner thighs and neck, which she covered with scarves.
When family members asked about the bruises the woman said the pair had "normal sex but it was a bit rough because he was drunk".
"She was ashamed and embarrassed she got herself into that situation," Mr Hickey said.
He said she didn't report it and kept seeing him because she believed she loved him.
The woman eventually moved into his Canberra home after she fell pregnant and they went on to have a second child.
Mr Hickey said the man became more controlling and manipulative, calling her continually when she left the house and accusing her of cheating. Her family and friends saw less of her and she became isolated.
On one occasion, he grabbed her wrists and caused bruises during a scuffle sparked by messages from other women she found on his phone. He had later allegedly forced her into sex and masturbated in front of her.
When she ended the relationship and left with their children, the man had allegedly phoned her 70 times in 24 hours.
Defence barrister Grant Brady, SC, said the woman had contacted police to tell them she would make a statement after the man's lawyer sent her a letter threatening court action over custody of their children in 2015.
He said the next day she received another letter from the man's solicitor to again request she return to Canberra with the children or they would take her to court. She had then gone to police and made a statement claiming rape, he said.
"Those two events define this case. The allegations are lies."
Mr Brady said the man called the woman repeatedly because she hadn't said where she was going with their children.
He also described to the jury the nature of the pair's early sexual relationship.
"The sex they had, particularly at the start, was raw. It was rough, it was passionate.
"It was different, in one sense. But each to their own - all of it was consensual."
Mr Brady said their relationship changed with the birth of their first child and the woman had complained he didn't spend enough time with his family and had affairs. The court heard he had wanted her to seek help for depression.
"He didn't control her," he said.
The trial continues in front of Acting Chief Justice Hilary Penfold.
