A 45-year-old man accused of raping the girl he used to babysit some 10 years ago will fight the allegations at trial.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Kevin Malone appeared briefly in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, when he pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and one act of indecency.
He has yet to enter a plea to a fifth charge of supplying cannabis to a child.
At a bail hearing earlier this year, the court heard the girl would stay overnight at Mr Malone's home until her mother became suspicious she had been drugged.
It's alleged Mr Malone raped her during these stays, while she played video games and on another occasion after she drank a glass of lemonade that had her falling in and out of consciousness.
It's alleged he told her: "It isn't wrong for me to touch you. It's OK."
It wasn't until September last year that the girl, who was under 10 years old at the time, went to police.
She went to report the allegations with her cousin, who also alleged Mr Malone had given her cannabis and that one time she passed out in the living room to wake to him touching her.
Police raided the Chisholm man's home earlier this year when he adamantly denied the allegations.
Court documents allege Mr Malone told police this was all an attempt for the girl's mother to get a payout, but "could not articulate how this payout would occur or who would be paying for it".
The landscaper remains on bail.
He is next due before court in July.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
