A 37-YEAR-OLD IT specialist went on trial on Monday in the High Court for sexually abusing his stepdaughter over a two-year period, starting when she was 11.

The Indian national, who is a Singapore permanent resident, faces a total of 42 charges - 16 counts of statutory rape and 26 counts of making the teenager perform oral sex on him.

The offences were said to have taken place between January 2005 and February last year at the family home.

But the girl and her 35-year-old mother, also Indian nationals and Singapore PRs, have left the country and are not expected to come to court to testify against him.

The man, who is representing himself in court, is denying the allegations.

He indicated on Monday that he is likely to recant seemingly incriminating statements he made to the police.

The court has ordered the media not to reveal the identities of the accused and the girl, now 14 years old. The trial continues.