A man whom the Crown says ruled his household by dominance, intimidation and violence has gone on trial in the Wellington District Court.
The man, whose name cannot be published for legal reasons, is facing 19 charges, including assault with intent to commit rape and sexual violation.
Crown prosecutor Geraldine Kelly said the man was a dictator in his household and sexually offended against his wife and two of his daughters.
She said after the birth of their fourth child the defendant's wife did not want to have sex any more, but he raped her and one of their children witnessed one such incident.
Ms Kelly said the man also physically abused his handicapped son.
However, the defence said the accused and his wife bitterly contested their separation and some of the accusations are made up and others are exaggerated.
