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

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

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

The decide advised 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 “truthful trial”.

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

“They advised the reality, and also you advised a pack of lies – not solely to the jury, however your spouse, the whips and the police,” she advised 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 help his attraction.

Earlier than Elphicke was sentenced, the courtroom heard sufferer impression statements from each of the ladies he attacked.

His first sufferer, who was attacked on the then MP’s London house in 2007, mentioned his actions had had a “lasting impression” on her life, leaving her cautious of being round males.

He had compelled the girl on to a settee and groped her breast whereas making an attempt 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 “concern and helplessness”.

“He stole a big a part of my self-worth and shallowness,” she mentioned in an announcement learn to the courtroom.

Elphicke sexually assaulted her twice, the primary involving him trying 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 the direction of her groin.

Ian Winter QC, defending, had argued Elphicke shouldn’t be jailed as a result of he had “totally and utterly” realized his lesson.

“Shortly, Mr Elphicke’s descent into whole shame will probably be full,” Mr Winter mentioned.

In addition to his marriage ending he’s estranged from his daughter on account of the conviction, he added.

“The one additional degradation could be to lose his liberty,” Mr Winter mentioned.

Mrs Justice Whipple mentioned she “thought of fastidiously” whether or not the sentence ought to be suspended.

“[But] making an allowance for the gross breach of your place of energy… I’m glad that acceptable punishment can solely be achieved by rapid custody,” she mentioned.

Nonetheless, 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 identify,” Elphicke mentioned in an announcement.

Mrs Elphicke confirmed she supported an attraction in opposition to conviction and “right this moment’s extreme sentence,” including that “the courtroom 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.