A Needham Market man accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he had allegedly done to her, a court has heard.

Russell Stiff, 36, allegedly touched the girl’s genital area on a number of occasions and raised his fist at her if she pushed him away, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Stiff, of Ranson Way, Needham Market, has denied nine offences of sexually assaulting a child.

Emma Nash, prosecuting, claimed Stiff had a violent temper and was “very controlling”. She alleged that on one occasion he had punched a wall above the girl’s head causing plaster to fall on her.

Miss Nash also alleged that Stiff had made a cut-throat gesture at the girl and had threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he had allegedly done to her.

She said that after the girl alleged she had been abused she was given a doll to help her demonstrate what had allegedly happened to her. When asked why she had put paper on the doll’s mouth she said the doll had been smiling and she wasn’t smiling when Stiff had touched her.

Miss Nash said Stiff denied touching her in a sexual way.

“He says her allegations are untrue and they simply didn’t happen,” she added.

The trial continues today.