A man accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl says he was carjacked with the alleged victim passed out in his van, but he never feared for her safety because the two assailants seemed to know her.

Stanley Tippett told a Peterborough, Ont., court that two teenage boys with weapons forced him to get down in the back seat then struck him on the head, taking his money and his van.

Tippett testified that the 12-year-old was unconscious in the front seat throughout the entire ordeal.

Tippett, 33, was arrested Aug. 6, 2008 after the girl was found half-naked behind a school in Courtice, some 70 kilometres from Peterborough.

The married father of five has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault and sexual interference.

Tippett got emotional today for the first time during his testimony, wiping away tears as he recalled the events that led up to the alleged attack on him.

Tippett said the carjackers forced him out of the van on the side of Highway 115, outside of Peterborough.

He told the court Friday that he had no idea where he was, but followed train tracks west until he could get cell phone reception to call his wife.

The trial continues.