A two-week jury trial of a man who is charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences relating to girls under the age of 12 started in the High Court on Monday.

The 12-person jury chosen yesterday is made up of six men and six women.

Moe Pirangi is charged with 14 offences, five of these are charges of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 12, six are indecent assault on a girl under the age of 12 and three are entering with intent to cause a crime.

The court heard multiple girls are alleged victims.

Judge Judith Potter who is overseeing the trial adjourned the trial for today after addressing the jury on the case.  

Opening statements by the Crown prosecutor and defence counsel are expected to take place today.

In a court sitting in September last year, the prosecution’s summary facts said a 10-year-old girl was raped by Pirangi on August 12 last year.

The court heard the alleged victim was sowing vegetables outside her house when Pirangi drove to the property and asked the complainant to come to his place.

The alleged victim did not want to go but was told to go by a family member because he was known.

After the alleged rape at Pirangi’s home, the court heard the accused gave the complainant $60 and told her not to tell anyone.

The court also heard, there had been 11 to 15 instances of rape that started when the alleged victim was 8-years-old.

The court heard all the alleged victims were aged between seven and 12-years-old.

Pirangi is currently on bail which was opposed by the Crown prosecutor.