Mother’s grief in trial into child rape

THE mother of an alleged child rapist has broken down in court before giving evidence at her son’s trial.

Zaine Steven McNeish stands accused of 30 sexual offences concerning three sisters, including multiple counts of rape on the youngest two.

Townsville Supreme Court heard the youngest of the girls was only two years old when McNeish first met her and just five when she first made disclosures about the alleged abuse.

His mother Shona McNeish, was in tears yesterday before she could answer her first question on the witness stand.

Ms McNeish told the court she was against the children coming over to her family’s house and had fought with her son about the issue.

“I’ve never seen something that would alarm me,” she said.

“I just didn’t like them over all the time and I didn’t like him over ( at their house).”

The mother of the alleged victims said she developed a bond with McNeish over several years to the point where he was considered part of the family.

She told the jury her eldest daughter had written her a letter claiming sexual abuse at the hands of McNeish but police were not notified and he continued to have contact with her three daughters.

“It was about Zaine touching her, making her feel uncomfortable, doing rude things,” she said. “I tried to talk to her about the note; she clammed up on me.

“I told my husband … I wish I had of told others now.”

The mother of the girls said the youngest two children would go to the accused’s house unaccompanied.