Robert Stephen James Elphick: Accused rapist indicates he will fight 13 charges of child prostitution and rape

An Albany man accused of 13 offences, including sexually penetrating and entering prostitution agreements with multiple children, has indicated he will fight all the charges in court. Robert Stephen James Elphick appeared via video link from Casuarina Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday for a committal mention on charges of aggravated sexual penetration without consent and impeding a person’s breathing, having pleaded not guilty to the charges on February 27. The 36-year-old also appeared for legal advice on 11 other charges, including three counts of sexual penetration of a child over 13 and under 16, three for agreement by a child for prostitution, and four of supplying juveniles with alcohol. Mr Elphick was first charged on November 12 with aggravated sexual penetration and impeding the breathing of a 14-year-old outside Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on October 26, 2024, to which he pleaded not guilty on February 27. He has now indicated he will fight an additional 11 charges that include four counts of entering child prostitution agreements, three counts of sexually penetrating a child over 13 and under 16, and four counts of supplying juveniles with alcohol on an unlicensed premises. The offences allegedly occurred in four separate incidents from August 1 to October 26 last year in Centennial Park and Mira Mar with each incident involving a charge of sexual penetration, engaging in child prostitution and underage alcohol supply. Mr Elphick read a letter to support his bail application, assuring the court he had always abided by bail conditions, while admitting he had made “mistakes” and claiming the complainants were not “entirely truthful”. “I’ve always tried to accept my mistakes and accept any consequences that come from these mistakes,” he said. Duty lawyer Michelle Gonsalves stopped Mr Elphick from reading the rest of the letter as she didn’t know the contents and feared he could hurt his defence. Police prosecutor Sgt Dylan Fisher flagged that he would oppose bail on account of the “solid” strength of the prosecution’s case, which includes CCTV, telecommunications and DNA evidence. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell asked for the bail application to be withdrawn and adjourned the matter to June 5. If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.