Warning: This summary contains references to child sexual assault.
A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the horrific sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl in Ellenbrook, a suburb north-east of Perth. The offender, Callum Ferris Davies, broke into the girl’s home while she slept two days after Christmas in 2021, committing a deed that has profoundly impacted the victim and her family.
During the attack, Davies, then 25, was recorded on the household security camera before forcing his way in through a bathroom window. He silenced the girl with tape, rendering her unconscious as he violated her. The girl’s mother expressed heart-wrenching pain over the changes in her daughter, now fearful and withdrawn, stating that her innocence has been "cruelly taken." She noted that their lives have been irrevocably altered due to the actions of a stranger, leaving her daughter grappling with trauma and anxiety, particularly around sleep.
Despite the mother’s grievances and the profound effects on her daughter’s well-being, the family remains unable to relocate, still living in the house that was once a sanctuary but now serves as a painful reminder of the attack. The girl struggles with fears and unanswered questions about the violation she endured, often requiring comfort from her parents to sleep.
Davies turned himself in three days after the incident and initially pleaded not guilty, citing mental health issues, which the court ultimately dismissed. At the sentencing, the judge acknowledged Davies’ autism and psychosis but concluded that his paedophilic tendencies were the primary concern and that untreated, he posed a significant risk of reoffending.
Legal expert Tom Percy, KC, highlighted the severity of the crime, likening it to murder due to the nature of the assault during a home invasion. With time already served, Davies may be eligible for parole in approximately 13 years, which has caused further distress to the girl’s family.
This case showcases the enduring impact of such crimes on victims and their families, drawing attention to the need for stronger protections for vulnerable individuals and justice for those affected by such atrocities.