Judge-only trial for dad of underage bride

A man who allegedly allowed his 12-year-old daughter to marry a 26-year-old man has been granted a judge-only trial after concerns were raised about public prejudice.

The 61-year-old's barrister argued on Tuesday that comments on online news articles about the case suggested it would be difficult to find impartial jurors.

Some of the comments he tendered advocated castration and deportation of the people involved.

"There is a large body of opinion where people have formed their own views with little knowledge of the facts," he said at a hearing at Downing Centre District Court.

Judge Deborah Sweeney granted a judge-only trial, saying the accused's concerns about a fair trial were legitimate and must be given "significant weight".

"The evidence he has tendered supports his having those concerns," she said.

The man's daughter allegedly married a 26-year-old man in an Islamic ceremony in the NSW Hunter region in 2013.

He is charged with being an accessory before the fact of having sexual intercourse with a child aged 10-14 and procuring a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity.

The trial is due to commence on Wednesday.