A JURY has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a man accused of sexually abusing his own daughter.

The 51-year-old defendant from Worcester denies all charges against him at a trial at the city's crown court. The jury of six men and six women retired before 4pm yesterday to consider its verdict. The jury had deliberated for around 20 minutes when members were sent home. Deliberations will continue on Monday.

The dad denies two counts of sexual assault against a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault against a child by penetration, one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and another of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Yesterday was given over to the closing speeches by prosecution and defence and a summary of the case by judge Jim Tindal.

Kannan Siva, prosecuting, said the defendant had threatened to kill himself in order to manipulate his daughter into not revealing what had happened to her but that she had found the courage to speak out.

He said: "She knew the allegation she was about to make would tear the family apart. It would mean she would not see the brother she dearly loved."

Mr Siva said the defendant's son, called as a defence witness, had been 'dragged along to support his dad'. The defendant was described as 'being in a tight spot' and 'lying'. Mr Siva said the defendant's abuse of his daughter, which included the use of a vibrator, had become 'habitual' and that he was worried his 'big secret' would come out.

However, Matthew Barnes, defending, asked the jury if it made any sense that the alleged victim continued staying with her dad between five and seven nights a week at the time she said he was abusing her.

He also said there had been the complete absence of any earlier complaint against her father. "She was no shrinking violet" he said of the alleged victim.

Mr Barnes mentioned the alleged victim sending a sarcastic text to her dad because he had not invited her out with other members of her family. "Is that consistent with her effectively being a sex slave?"

He described the defendant as hard working with only two 'minor brushes with the law'.

The trial continues.