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PA Media
Charlie Elphicke is charged with three counts of sexual assault
A former MP agreed to pay a girl £5,000 after allegedly sexually assaulting her to forestall his spouse from discovering out, a courtroom heard.
Charlie Elphicke mentioned it was the complainant’s demand to be paid “compensation” after the alleged incident at his house in London in 2007.
Mr Elphicke, 49, mentioned he believed the girl “wished to take issues additional” after they shared a bottle of wine.
At Southwark Crown Court docket he denies three counts of sexual assault.
Mr Elphicke and the girl, who can’t be named for authorized causes, drank collectively whereas Mrs Elphicke was away on enterprise.
He mentioned he had been “beneath a misapprehension” in making advances in direction of her.
‘Groped and chased’
The girl, in her early-30s on the time, alleged Mr Elphicke tried to kiss her, groped her breast, then chased her round his house whereas making an attempt to seize her buttocks.
Excerpts from Mr Elphicke’s interview with police in March 2018 have been performed in entrance of a jury.
In them he mentioned the girl requested him to not inform his spouse in regards to the 2007 incident and to pay her £5,000.
He mentioned: “I acquired it [the £5,000] in smaller quantities – £500, £1,000 – as a result of she was insistent Natalie should not know.”
Requested if he had ever advised his spouse in regards to the funds, Mr Elphicke advised police: “No.”
‘Extremely apologetic’
He additionally described how the primary alleged incident occurred and mentioned that he stopped instantly when the girl advised him to.
He mentioned: “The environment was very heat and convivial and I believed she wished to take issues additional.
“I leaned over and kissed her.
“At first she responded positively, then it grew to become clear it was not what she wished.”
He mentioned: “I used to be extremely apologetic. I believed this was what she wished.
“She mentioned she accepted my rationalization, my apology, and that I had been beneath a misapprehension.”
The trial continues.