The jury in the trial of a man accused of the systematic sexual abuse of his son is expected to retire to consider a verdict today.

The 52-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies 23 charges of rape; 24 charges of sexual assault and one charge of the wilful neglect or ill-treatment of the boy on dates between April 11, 2001 and June 23, 2004.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred as often as twice a week while the boy was aged between 12 and 15 years old.

Now aged 20, it was his evidence to the court that he was scared of his father that ‘you’d have to be nice to him or he’d hit you’.

But he said he wasn’t going to let him get away with what he did.

On the stand his father said the allegations were lies.

‘What I am being accused of you would not do to an animal’ he said.

The jury has heard closing speeches from the prosecution and the defence.

This morning they’ll be charged by Mr. Justice Barry White before deliberating on the 48 charges on the indictment.