A DISTRICT Court judge was forced to adjourn a sexual assault trial twice yesterday after the alleged victim, a 13-year-old girl, could not give details of her 'abuse'.
Deputy Judge Tallentire repeatedly calmed the girl, who could not bring herself to speak about two of the three alleged assaults by her 50-year-old father.
The father pleaded not guilty to fondling her breasts and private parts on three occasions between September 1993 and October last year.
The judge offered the girl a warm drink to calm her after she admitted feeling uncomfortable giving evidence in front of strangers.
The girl asked the judge for permission to ask those in the court not involved in the case to leave, pointing to the packed press box.
'I am afraid it is not at all easy because the members of the press and public do have rights in this court,' the judge said.
He then adjourned, requesting prosecutor Pamela Cheng to explain the options her client had in the matter.