The Crown will on Wednesday listen to a bail application for a 52-year-old man charged with 18 counts of rape committed against his eight-year-old stepdaughter.

When the matter was mentioned in the Linstead Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the lawyer was told that bail application would have to be deferred.

Attorney-at-Law Sean Kinghorn said the complainant has certain challenges and that his client was innocent. The accused was then ordered remanded.

Accusations are that the child was first molested once at age five. At age seven, it was reported that she was molested six times, and then on 11 other occasions when the victim turned eight.

It is alleged that the child's relatives found out that something was wrong and contacted the police.

An investigation resulted in the man been charged with rape.

The matter will be mentioned on October 10 when the police can verify his other address.