A MAN systematically raped a young girl over a period of four years, a court heard.
Stephen Simpson, 38, raped the girl on "many, many occasions" over that period of time, it was alleged at Newcastle Crown Court.
The court heard that during some of the attacks, which started when the victim was 12, Carmella Tatum, 38, held the youngster down by her head so that Simpson could rape her.
The girl was then warned by Ms Tatum that if she told anyone she would burn her.
The couple, who are now facing charges of rape, eventually split up, but the court was told that Mr Simpson continued his attacks on the girl.
Michael Hodson, prosecuting, said it was possible that the girl was so used to the rapes that she accepted them as "part of life".
He said: "She was sytematically abused over a long period of time. The sexual abuse alleged is that the male defendant raped the child on many, many occasions and on some of those occasions the female defendant held her down by the head while he did so."
Mr Simpson, of Solway Street, Walker, Newcastle, denies two charges of rape, one of indecent assault and one of gross indecency.
Ms Tatum, of Whitley Road, Stockton, denies two charges of rape.
The trial continues
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article