An apprentice who allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted a girl as she slept after allegedly breaking into her home claims he was suffering a psychotic episode, a trial has heard.
Callum Ferris Davies, 28, allegedly carried out the terrifying attack at a home in Ellenbrook, north-east Perth, on December 27, 2021.
Davies allegedly climbed through the property’s bathroom window shortly after midnight.
He allegedly entered the bedroom of the seven-year-old girl, whom he does not know, and allegedly put his hands over her mouth.
He then allegedly used a piece of packing tape to cover her mouth before strangling and sexually assaulting her.
The Edith Cowan University graduate has not denied committing the offence but has pleaded not guilty on grounds of mental health. Western Australia reported.
He claims he suffered psychosis at the time and did not know what he was doing, the WA District Court heard on Tuesday.
Davies has been charged with sexual penetration and indecent treatment of a child under 13, obstructing another person’s breathing and aggravated burglary of a dwelling.
Callum Ferris Davies, 28 (pictured), allegedly carried out the terrifying attack at a home in Ellenbrook, north-east Perth, on December 27, 2021.
The court heard Davies was smoking cannabis and drinking on the night of the alleged incident.
He then went for a walk through several streets in Ellenbrook before CCTV footage captured him jumping over the fence and then allegedly breaking into the girl’s home.
Davies, who has autism spectrum disorder, told detectives during a police interview played in court that he never intended to harm the girl.
He claimed he was exploring an opportunity to allegedly commit “petty theft.”
“I don’t know why I (allegedly) did what I (allegedly) did,” Davies said.
Davies (centre) claims he was suffering from psychosis at the time of the incident and did not know what he was doing.
Davies told police during an interview played in court that he strangled the girl to make her “lose consciousness”.
He admitted that he removed the victim’s clothes after she urinated.
“I don’t even know why I did that,” he told police.
“I should have left the room after cleaning it. After seeing how distressed she was, I stopped. I really didn’t like it.”
During another police interview conducted during the first day of the trial, the young victim said she did not know whether the alleged incident was a “nightmare or real.”
She said Davies allegedly told her to shut up and said he allegedly pulled off her pants and did something to her private parts.
She said she woke up the next day wearing a different shirt and claimed she had scratches on her face that she didn’t have the day before.
The court heard that Davies’ DNA was found on the girl and in her bedroom after the alleged incident was reported to police.
Davies was arrested two days after turning himself in to police following a massive manhunt.
Davies handed himself in to police two days after a massive manhunt. Pictured here, police at the crime scene.
Prosecutor Stuart Packham told the court that while it was accepted Davies may have experienced mental impairment, the severity of the illness was disputed.
The court was also told that Davies attempted suicide after being interviewed again by police in February 2022 before being transferred to a mental health services facility.
He was later discharged and transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he spent several weeks.
Mr Packham told the court Davies would have been able to control himself and knew what he was doing was wrong.
Experts are expected to testify at the trial that Davies was psychotic at the time of the alleged crimes.
The trial continues.
If you require advice or support, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Sexual Assault Counselling Australia 1800 211 028 or Lifeline 13 11 14.
