A man is standing trial at the Waigani National Court over allegations he sexually assaulted a minor two years ago at Nine-Mile in Port Moresby.
The man, from Abau, Central Province, pleaded not guilty in court today after the state and trial judge read the allegations against him in court.
It is the state's allegation that the man, who was seen as a grandfather to the victim and her other siblings, sexually touched her while she was sleeping.
The victim was nine years old at the time of the alleged offence.
This allegedly took place on the morning of 20 March 2015, between 5 and 5:30.
The victim and the accused were sleeping in the living room, where he pushed his hands into her shorts and touched her genitals. An act of penetration was also alleged to have taken place.
She later woke up and told her mother what had happened.
The accused denied it when questioned by the mother of the victim.
A police record of interview, dated 9 April 2015, photographs and a statement of the police investigating officer were tendered in court after the presentation of the charge by the state.
The victim was called to give evidence this morning in camera (a closed, private court session) at the commencement of the trial.
The trial continues.