under-age niece testified in Supreme Court yesterday.

The seven-man, five-woman jury was told the estranged wife and the 34-year-old defendant were married in October 1995, but separated in March 1996.

The woman said the separation was not related to the allegations made by her 16-year-old niece.

None of those involved can be named for legal reasons.

The alleged victim's aunt could not recall details or dates of conversations between herself, her husband and her niece regarding the sexual allegations.

Earlier in the trial her niece testified that she had visited the defendant's home several times and she described its contents.

But her aunt said she was uncertain about the kind of furniture in the home she previously shared with the defendant.

Responding to her niece's claim that the man wore bikini-type underwear, she said she was not certain about the kind of underwear worn by him. She added that he wore a variety of styles, but not boxers.

She also told the court the defendant was circumcised.

A fellow student and friend of the alleged victim also testified and supported an account given earlier in the trial.

The alleged victim told the court that on January 3 she met the defendant in his car while walking home from school.

She said the two of them kissed in the car and later the same day engaged in sexual intercourse for the first time.

Lalitha Anandagoda, a health department paediatrician, examined the complainant on two occasions.

The defendant is represented by Archibald Warner. Crown counsel Charlene Scott is assisted by Patrick Doherty.

The trial continues today before Chief Justice Austin Ward.