Callum Ferris Davies: Judge finds man guilty of horrific attack on seven-year-old girl in her Ellenbrook home

An “opportunistic petty thief” has been found guilty of sexually assaulting and choking a seven-year-old girl in a horrific Ellenbrook break-in. Callum Ferris Davies faced a judge-alone trial in the District Court of WA last month over the terrifying attack, two days after Christmas in 2021. The 28-year-old did not deny he committed the offences but pleaded not guilty by reason of mental impairment. Davies broke into the girl’s house via a bathroom window and after creeping into her bedroom, taped her mouth shut and told her to “keep quiet”. In heartbreaking evidence, recorded on the day of the shocking crimes and played at the trial, the girl said she was not sure if the incident was a “nightmare or real”. “The man like sticky-taped my mouth,” she said. “I pulled it down then he covered my mouth and nose with his hand. I couldn’t breathe.” The next thing she said she remembered was the man removing her clothing. The girl said she couldn’t remember how the man left but didn’t think it was through the door because it was shut. “I always leave it shut cause I’m scared monsters are going to come in,” she told the interviewer. Later that morning, the girl revealed what took place to her father who then contacted police. The girl was examined by a doctor and the court was told DNA matching the accused was found on her and in her bedroom. Davies handed himself into police two days later. The court was told in the lead up to the horrifying offences, Davies had been smoking cannabis and drinking, leaving his house just after midnight to roam the streets of Ellenbrook. He was captured on CCTV looking into a neighbour’s house twice before he jumped over a fence and broke into the girl’s home. In his first police interview, Davies said he went out “looking for petty theft” and didn’t intend to do what he did, claiming it was “just an opportunity that arose”. The apprentice chef and university graduate claimed he was suffering from psychosis at the time, and did not know what he was doing was wrong. The state disagreed, but accepted Davies may have had some impairment because of his autism. He was found guilty on charges of choking, sexual penetration of a child, indecent dealing and aggravated home burglary. A further psychiatric report was ordered ahead of his sentencing on January 31. Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888