A NSW father consented to his 12-year-old daughter's marriage to free her from the sin of extramarital sex, a trial has heard.
The 63-year-old, who cannot be named, gave his daughter's mobile phone number to a 26-year-old man who sought her hand in marriage and then hosted an Islamic ceremony at his home in the Hunter region, crown prosecutor Siobhan Herbert told Downing Centre District Court on Thursday.
He later hosted the couple at his home, where they allegedly had sex on a specially set up mattress, she said.
The father is charged with procuring a child aged under 14 for unlawful sexual activity and being an accessory before the fact to a serious indictable offence.
The court heard he consented to the wedding, in January 2014, despite opposition from his daughter's mother, after discovering his daughter had begun menstruating and becoming interested in boys.
"By her getting married he was stopping the sin of extramarital sex," Ms Herbert said.
On the wedding day, he allegedly instructed the girl that neither she nor her partner were allowed to use contraception.
On the first weekend after the wedding, the court heard the father hosted the couple at his home where he allegedly arranged a marital bed.
The following morning, he asked his daughter if she needed to shower before prayers, in line with Islamic practice after sexual intercourse, the court heard.
"His actions brought about or caused the unlawful sexual activity," Ms Herbert said.
The trial continues.
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