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Court of Appeal receives formal application to overturn former Dover MP Charlie Elphicke's sexual assault convictions

17:01, 21 October 2020

updated: 15:22, 23 October 2020

The Court of Appeal has confirmed receipt of an application by former Dover MP Charlie Elphicke to overturn his sexual assault convictions.

The former Conservative minister was handed a two year prison sentence for sexual assaults on two women, on September 15.

Former Dover MP Charile Elphicke has submitted a formal application to the Court of Appeal
Former Dover MP Charile Elphicke has submitted a formal application to the Court of Appeal

One charge related to an incident in 2007 where Elphicke chased a victim around his Westminster home while chanting "I'm a naughty Tory" in a singsong voice.

The woman, who was in her 30s at the time and known to Elphicke, contacted police about the incident in November 2017.

The second complainant, aged in her 20s, was groped on her breast by the former MP, who also ran his hand up her leg. The assaults happened during separate incidents in 2016.

The judge branded Elphicke, 49, a "sexual predator" who "used his success and respectability as a cover", before being handing him his sentence.

Moments later he announced he would appeal the conviction and sentencing, adding he was “innocent of any criminal wrongdoing”.

Charlie Elphicke with his wife Natalie arriving at Southwark Crown Court during his three week trial
Charlie Elphicke with his wife Natalie arriving at Southwark Crown Court during his three week trial

Now, a spokesman for the Judicial Office has said: "It is confirmed that an appeal application has been received.

"There isn’t yet a date for the appeal to take place."

His wife Natalie Elphicke, who is the MP for Dover and Deal, has said she'll support her husband's appeal against his sex crime convictions.

She had announced the end of their 25 year marriage via Twitter moments after he was found guilty.

Three days later, she explained her reasons for leaving him exclusively to a tabloid newspaper - an interview she was paid £25,000 for.

In another tabloid interview since, the mother of two said she was supporting his appeal against both conviction and sentence, believing him to be the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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