A Masterton man accused of physically abusing his partner's two young children went on trial in Wellington District Court today.
The man pleaded not guilty to two representative charges of assault and one of threatening to cause grievous bodily harm to two girls between February 13, 2004 and December 24, 2006.
Crown prosecutor Dale LaHood said the man would become angry and aggressive "and take that anger and aggression out on the children".
"He would hit them with a wooden spoon, he would kick and punch them and on one occasion he threw (the younger girl) about her room." The elder girl, now 10, will give evidence via closed circuit television this afternoon.
The trial is expected to last three days.
