NSW magistrate on trial for assaulting boy

A Sydney magistrate showered a teenage boy he called "Little Chicken" with gifts, sailing jaunts and overseas holidays before sexually assaulting him, a jury has been told.

Graeme Bryan Curran, 68, has pleaded not guilty in the NSW District Court to nine charges of assault committing an act of indecency in the 1980s when the boy was aged between 13 and 15.

Opening the crown case on Thursday, prosecutor Mark Hobart SC said Curran groomed the youth, encouraging him to sleep naked in bed with him.

Mr Hobart alleges Curran would perform a Saturday ritual with the boy, massaging him and touching his penis.

However defence barrister Phillip Boulten SC told the jury the boy suffered a meltdown as an adult and hypnotherapy treatment may have reshaped his memory of their time together.

Curran met his alleged victim in the late 1970s, babysat him and his siblings and quickly became a part of the family.

"(The parents) were very trusting; he was a very generous person and bought them expensive gifts," Mr Hobart said.

"He bought them a car and also paid off some of their debts. They thought a lot of the accused and they trusted him."

Curran allegedly would ask the boy whether he loved him and called him pet names including "Little Chicken".

As an adult, the complainant got in touch with Curran, telling him of his depression and psychiatric treatment, the prosecutor said.

"My life was completely f***ed and he played a role", the complainant said.

After he asked for money, Curran allegedly transferred more than $34,000 to him.

Mr Boulten in his opening said while the boy would visit regularly, the two never slept naked together.

"(Curran) regularly wore a nightgown, a curiosity in itself," he said.

"There was never any massaging like that that has been described by the complainant."

Curran was considered a father figure to the boy and his siblings, Mr Boulten said, adding he did not consider their relationship improper.

"He is a very, very caring and, dare I say it, loving person towards (the boy).

"It was not uncommon to give him a big hug or kiss."

The trial continues before Acting Judge Anthony Rafter.