Charlie Elphicke: Ex-MP jailed for intercourse assaults on girls

Ex-Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been jailed for 2 years for sexually assaulting two girls.

Elphicke, 49, the previous MP for Dover, was convicted of groping the ladies in comparable conditions, 9 years aside.

The choose instructed Elphicke he was a "sexual predator who used your success and respectability as a canopy".

Inside minutes of his jailing, Elphicke confirmed he would attraction in opposition to his conviction, arguing he had not had a "honest trial".

Mrs Justice Whipple mentioned Elphicke's denials had left his victims confronted with the ordeal of giving proof in court docket.

"They instructed the reality, and also you instructed a pack of lies - not solely to the jury, however your spouse, the whips and the police," she instructed him throughout the sentencing listening to.

Regardless of the actual fact the defendant's spouse Natalie - the present Dover MP - ended their marriage when he was convicted in July, she agreed he had not had a good trial and confirmed she would assist his attraction.

Earlier than Elphicke was sentenced, the court docket heard sufferer affect statements from each of the ladies he attacked.

His first sufferer, who was attacked on the then MP's London residence in 2007, mentioned his actions had had a "lasting affect" on her life, leaving her cautious of being round males.

He had compelled the girl on to a settee and groped her breast whereas attempting to kiss her, earlier than chasing her and chanting "I am a naughty Tory", his trial had heard.

The second sufferer, a parliamentary employee aged in her 20s, mentioned the assaults in 2016 left her with a sense of "worry and helplessness".

"He stole a big a part of my self-worth and vanity," she mentioned in a press release learn to the court docket.

Elphicke sexually assaulted her twice, the primary involving him making an attempt to kiss her and groping her breast.

Within the second assault a number of weeks later, he ran his hand up the within of her thigh in direction of her groin.

Ian Winter QC, defending, had argued Elphicke shouldn't be jailed as a result of he had "totally and utterly" discovered his lesson.

"Shortly, Mr Elphicke's descent into whole shame shall be full," Mr Winter mentioned.

In addition to his marriage ending he's estranged from his daughter because of the conviction, he added.

"The one additional degradation can be to lose his liberty," Mr Winter mentioned.

Elphicke had come to court docket with 34 character witnesses, together with from some "serving members of parliament," Mr Winter added. The names of the MPs weren't disclosed in court docket.

Mrs Justice Whipple mentioned she "thought of fastidiously" whether or not the sentence must be suspended.

"[But] making an allowance for the gross breach of your place of energy... I'm happy that applicable punishment can solely be achieved by rapid custody," she mentioned.

Nevertheless, a spokesman for Elphicke mentioned his legal professionals had begun an try to overturn the conviction.

"I do know that I'm harmless of any felony wrongdoing and can proceed to battle to clear my title," Elphicke mentioned in a press release.

Mrs Elphicke confirmed she supported an attraction in opposition to conviction and "right now's extreme sentence," including that "the court docket appears to be on a little bit of a mission".

There was "little doubt that Charlie behaved badly," however he had been denied a good trial, she mentioned.

He was once more suspended after being charged with the three counts of sexual assault on 22 July 2019.