A man accused of a historical rape says he accidentally went into a girl's bedroom - but did not touch her.

Jehovah's Witness James Albert Leslie, 37, now of Waitara, denies four charges of historical sexual assault - three of indecent assault and a charge of rape in either 1998 or 1999.

The jury has heard nearly two days of evidence in New Plymouth District Court and will resume its deliberations today.

Crown prosecutor Nina Elliott said Leslie went into the girl's bedroom several times one night when she was about 14 or 15.

Leslie had been drinking beer while watching a rugby match with the family - also Jehovah's Witnesses - at their home in a North Island town on the night of the alleged abuse.

He was invited to stay the night.

When interviewed by Detective Sergeant Brent Matuku last year, Leslie first told him he could not recall going to the girl's family home to watch rugby. He then said he recalled mistakenly going into her bedroom.

When the girl told him he was in the wrong room, he had apologised, had a quick chat, and gone out again.

In summing up, defence lawyer Susan Hughes, QC, said Leslie was an open book, an honest man who was not guilty of the charges.

He admitted he had a brief relationship with the girl's older sister.

The complainant's story of indecencies and rape was improbable, Ms Hughes said.

Why did she not go for help or wake up her sister sleeping beside her, Ms Hughes asked.

"If someone gets into bed and has sex with your sister, you would be immediately aware of it.

"It's a fantasy," Ms Hughes said.

There was no talk of violence.

"That is not the language of rape."

The reason she would complain of the rape so many years later was not for the jury to consider.

That the complainant had convictions for defrauding her employer was something they could take into account.