Man accused of sexually violating niece

Day two of a Christchurch High Court trial gets underway this morning for a 60-year-old Zimbabwean man accused of sexually violating his young niece.

George Gwaze is being charged with the sexual violation and murder of 10-year-old Charlene Makaza at a Christchurch home in January 2007.

Gwaze's lawyer Jonathon Eaton has opened the case by saying the Crown has got it all wrong.

"He loved her, she was his niece, all intents and purposes, his daughter, and he cared for her as he did for his other children. On so many levels the Crown have got this case wrong, terribly wrong."

The Crown alleges Gwaze smothered and killed Charlene Makaza and that he had sexually violated her.

Detective Anthony Clare read to the court the sequence of events from the Hollyford Avenue scene from the time the homicide inquiry began at 7am on Sunday January 7th 2007.

Gwaze's defence counsel, Jonathon Eaton questioned Detective Clare on the enormity of this case.

Photo: NZ Herald