Former Tory MP jailed for two years over sexual assaults

Former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke has been jailed for two years at Southwark Crown Court for three counts of sexual assault against two women.

He was described by a judge as a “sexual predator” who “told a pack of lies” as he was jailed for two years for sexually assaulting two women, nearly a decade apart.

The disgraced 49-year-old father of two showed no emotion as judge Mrs Justice Whipple sentenced him to an immediate prison term for three counts of sexual assault, following a month-long trial which heard trained lawyer Elphicke lied to police, senior Tories, and his wife.

Sentencing him at Southwark Crown Court, the judge said: “You’re a sexual predator who used your success and respectability as a cover.

“You required both women to come to court and give evidence about the assaults you had made on them.

“That was not easy for them and they displayed great courage.

“They told the truth, you told a pack of lies – not just to the jury but, as became clear, to your wife, the whips and the police as well.”

She said “the gross breach of your position of power” meant an immediate custody sentence was required.

He was also ordered to pay £35,000 in costs, although his lawyer said he had “a fair bit of debt”, and that his estranged wife Natalie Elphicke loaned him £100,000 to pay for legal bills.

Elphicke confirmed through his spokesman upon sentencing that he is seeking to overturn the conviction.

A statement read: “Two weeks ago, my legal team sought leave to appeal my conviction to the Court of Appeal.

“That application is made on a number of grounds which demonstrate that my trial was unfair and my conviction unsafe.

“I know that I am innocent of any criminal wrongdoing and will continue to fight to clear my name.”

His wife and successor as Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said: “I fully support Charlie in his appeal against both his convictions and today’s excessive sentence.

“The court seems to be on a bit of a mission, it entirely ignored the report of a highly experienced probation officer as well as sentencing guidelines.

“There is no doubt that Charlie behaved badly. However, everyone, Charlie included, has the right to a fair trial, and I don’t believe that he has had one.”

Last month, police arrested an unnamed Conservative former minister on suspicion of rape. He was released on bail until November.