Published Wednesday, 14 November 2012
David Tweed appearing at Antrim court. (© Pacemaker)
Mr Tweed is alleged to have abused two girls, now both adults, over a number of years.
He denies the charges.
The Ballymena councillor sat straight-backed, occasionally folding his arms as the witness he is alleged to have abused gave her second day of evidence at Antrim Crown Court on Wednesday.
The court heard the witness allege in her evidence that Mr Tweed had abused her on a number of occasions.
Under cross-examination, the witness said she had put the alleged abuse out of her mind for many years before making the allegations.
"When you've got that much fear of someone and you don't want to believe it you just get on with your life," she said.
The defence barrister suggested the witness had been influenced by others involved in the case.
"You have been subjected," he said, "and exposed to an unleavened diet of criticism and spiteful talk."
The witness replied: "I feel it every day. I know what happened to me."
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.