THE trial of a Tredegar man accused of repeatedly raping a young girl began today.

Robin Mark Brown, 42, of Maple Avenue, is charged with seven offences including five counts of rape and two counts of indecency with a child. He denies all charges.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Brown gave the girl presents and told her: "It's our little secret".

One of the alleged rapes took place on the day the alleged victim's grandmother died.

Today the jury was shown a video of an interview with the girl, who is now an adult.

Speaking of one of the alleged assaults, she said he was trying to comfort her but assaulted her.

"I was using my arm to try and push him off me but it didn't work, I told him to stop and leave me alone," she said.

"It was like he was trying to cave me in. I couldn't really get him off, he still wouldn't budge.

"I cried. Afterwards I didn't know what to do. I just cried myself to sleep."

She also said in interview: "It was horrible. It makes me want to be sick. It's just so hard to say it.

"He said it's our little secret.

"I wanted my mum. It felt horrible, the pain was like ripping.

"I was too scared to say anything."

On another occasion, the victim said Brown put on a porn film and masturbated in front of her.

The alleged victim added: "When people were there he was tidy to me, like he was God's gift to me.

"But when no one was there he was too nice, trying to be too nice."

When asked whether Brown would treat her, she said he bought her presents."

The court heard how the allegations were made last year when Brown, who is represented by David Elias, was arrested and interviewed.

Proceeding.