A disabled man was beaten to death in a midnight "vigilante" attack after he was accused of rape, a jury has been told.

Glen Jones, 40, of Featherston, is alleged to have been hit with a wooden bat, an axe handle, fists and feet in an attack that was planned at a party in Masterton where a group of friends talked about the rape allegations.

Five people are on trial in the High Court at Wellington, four charged with murder and aggravated burglary, and one facing only the aggravated burglary charge.

The woman who had made the complaint against Mr Jones is not one of them, but was among the first people police spoke to after his death, on January 12 last year.

Her name and details were suppressed, but the jury heard yesterday that she was asked who she had told about her complaint and she replied: "Lots of people."

The jury is expected to hear evidence that a neighbour of Mr Jones had seen him and the complainant cuddling and hugging the morning after the alleged rape. Mr Jones and the woman also had consensual sex at least once after that.

Mr Jones suffered a brain tumour as a child that affected his balance, leaving him weak on one side of his body. He had learning difficulties, epilepsy and was almost blind in one eye.

Crown prosecutor Grant Burston said the main instigator of the attack was Tariana Hineteanaurangi Jones, 33, who put on Doc Marten boots for the late-night trip to Featherston.

The Crown alleges that she, Matthew John McKinney, 29, and Kristofer Lee Jones, 24, washed the blood from their shoes at an Upper Hutt service station.

Through her lawyer, Tariana Jones denied being the instigator. Jock Blathwayt told the jury she did not attack Mr Jones.

McKinney and Hayden Ranson, 28, pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to aggravated burglary of Mr Jones' flat. Their lawyers, Mike Antunovic and Steve Winter, told the jury that the two men did not have a murderous intent but could be guilty of manslaughter.

Kristofer Jones' lawyer, Paul Paino, said he had not touched any weapon and had not believed anyone would go berserk with one.

Toni Maree Miller, 23, is charged only with aggravated burglary. She drove one of the cars and the Crown said she helped and encouraged the others. Her lawyer, Louise Elder, said Miller did not know Mr Jones was going to be assaulted and was not guilty.

A statement was read from ambulance officer Wendy Mattingley, who said the side of Mr Jones' head felt like a broken egg shell.

His condition was critical and it was decided to drive him to hospital with his mother riding along in the front of the ambulance. A brother was in his car not far behind. Mr Jones died about five hours after he was attacked.