The trial of a 28-year-old man facing a series of assault and sexual violation charges against a woman he had a relationship with has begun.
The woman described her seven-month relationship with the man as "volatile", "scary" and "manipulative", and said he "ate away at her spirit" and that she felt "worthless".
The 28-year-old, who has name suppression, faces two charges of sexual violation. It's alleged he forced the woman to perform sexual acts on him.
He also faces three charges of assault, two further charges of assault with a weapon and one charge of threatening to kill.
In a police interview played to the Auckland High Court on Monday, the woman gave details about a night in 2017 when she thought the man was going to kill her and she wrote a signed note.
"I honestly thought that that night I was going to die and if my body was found, people would need to know it was him that did it," she said.
The woman also told police the man would sometimes hold a kitchen knife to her throat, and described a look he gave her on one occasion when she tried to leave him as "pure evil".
"I've seen the look in his eyes quite a few times - pure evil - and it's like he changes and it's like Jekyll and Hyde."
The man denies the sexual and physical violence ever happened.
"It was a difficult relationship but he utterly rejects that he was physically or sexually abusive in any way," the man's defence lawyer said.
The trial will continue on Tuesday.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
