Former MP Charlie Elphicke sentenced to prison
Charles (Charlie) Elphicke, former Conservative Party MP, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for sexually assaulting two women.
Both women worked for Elphicke; one as a nanny, and the other as a Parliamentary researcher in Elphicke’s Westminster office.
On sentencing, Mrs Justice Whipple commented how in the incident with the nanny, in June 2007:
“She pushed you off and managed to escape. As she ran down the stairs towards the door to her flat, you came after her, chanting “I’m a naughty Tory”, slapping her bottom at least once as she ran away… This was a terrifying episode for [A].”
Elphicke’s behaviour and actions towards his Parliamentary researcher were described as “…a campaign of harassment of B. It involved planning, to get her alone with you. After she refused your advances and you finally got the message, you started to bully and intimidate her.”
Elphicke’s wider behaviour and the work environment he created were described as:
“This was not behaviour you reserved for B, because there was evidence from other witnesses that you created a toxic atmosphere in your Westminster office for all your staff…. Women are entitled to feel safe at work. These women were not safe.”
Elphicke was described as a ‘sexual predator’ who used his ‘success and respectability as a cover’.
Mrs Justice Whipple noted that Elphicke had “…told a pack of lies, not just to the jury, but as became clear, to your wife, the whips and the police as well”
Mrs Justice Whipple’s full sentencing remarks are available here.
Along with two years in prison (he will serve 12 months and be released to serve the remainder of his sentence on licence), Elphicke will be subject to notification requirements for 10 years and was ordered to pay £35,000 towards the prosecution’s costs.
Civil claims for compensation are often possible to be brought against individuals. This is an important route to justice, to ensure that victims are able to obtain the help, support and therapy they need.
