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PA Media
Charlie Elphicke is charged with three counts of sexual assault
A former Conservative MP accused of sexual assault “groped” a lady in his residence earlier than chanting “I am a naughty Tory”, a court docket has heard.
Charlie Elphicke, the previous MP for Dover, faces one rely of sexual assault in 2007, and two additional counts towards a second girl in 2016.
He denies all prices.
The 49-year-old’s spouse, Natalie Elphicke, who’s the present MP for Dover, was current for his trial at Southwark Crown Court docket.
Prosecutor Eloise Marshall QC advised jurors there have been “placing similarities” between the 2 alleged occasions.
One concerned a lady in her 30s, the opposite was a Parliamentary employee in her 20s, the court docket was advised.
‘He likes bondage’
Ms Marshall mentioned each girls had rejected Mr Elphicke.
Eloise Marshall mentioned the ladies accusing Mr Elphicke got here ahead to police following the publication in 2017 of an inventory of names of MPs alleged to have acted inappropriately.
She advised the court docket how the 2007 allegation concerned a lady who mentioned she was “flattered” to be invited to have a drink with Mr Elphicke at his residence.
Ms Marshall mentioned Mr Elphicke started asking about sexual preferences and whether or not she appreciated “leather-based”.
The prosecutor mentioned: “She says he mentioned one thing alongside the traces of, ‘he likes bondage and whips’.”
Ms Marshall mentioned the girl was advised to come back in direction of Mr Elphicke so he might high up her wine glass.
‘College playground’
He then assaulted her on the couch, reaching into her high to grope her breast and making an attempt to kiss her, the jurors have been advised.
The prosecutor mentioned: “She instantly shouted: ‘No!’
Ms Marshall described Elphicke’s behaviour instantly afterwards.
She mentioned: “He was chanting in a sing-song approach: ‘I am a naughty Tory, I am a naughty Tory’, as if it was the college playground.”
The girl mentioned Elphicke chased her across the residence, making an attempt to smack her backside.
The trial continues.