Callum Ferris Davies: Why the alleged perpetrator accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl and taping her mouth shut after breaking into his Ellenbrook home is denying responsibility

An apprentice who allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted a young girl in her sleep after breaking into her home claims he was suffering a psychotic episode, a court hearing has heard.

Callum Ferris Davies, 28, is alleged to have carried out the horrific attack on a home in Ellenbrook, north-east Perth, on December 27, 2021.

Davies is said to have climbed through the bathroom window of the property shortly after midnight.

He is said to have entered the bedroom of the seven-year-old girl, whom he did not know, and held his hands over her mouth.

He then allegedly covered her mouth with a piece of tape before choking and sexually abusing the girl.

The Edith Cowan University graduate does not deny the crime but has pleaded not guilty on mental health grounds, The West Australian reported.

He claims he was suffering from psychosis at the time and did not know what he was doing, the Washington District Court heard on Tuesday.

Davies is charged with sexual penetration and indecent exposure of a child under 13, respiratory distress on another person and aggravated burglary.

The court heard that Davies smoked and drank cannabis on the night of the alleged incident.

He then walked down several streets in Ellenbrook before being seen on video footage jumping over the fence and later allegedly breaking into the girl's home.

Davies, who suffers from autism spectrum disorder, told investigators during a police interview played in court that it was never his intention to harm the girl.

He claimed he was looking for an opportunity to commit a “petty theft.”

“I don’t know why I [allegedly] did what I [allegedly] “That’s what we 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

During his court hearing, Davies told police that he had strangled the young girl until she “lost consciousness”.

He admitted that he had removed her clothes after the victim had wet herself.

“I don’t even know why I did it,” he told police.

“I should have just left the room after cleaning her. When I saw how upset she was, I stopped. I didn't really like that.”

During another police interview conducted on the first day of the trial, the young victim said she did not know whether the alleged incident was a “nightmare or reality.”

She said Davies allegedly told her to be quiet and that he took off her pants and did something to her genitals.

She said she woke up the next day wearing a different shirt and had scratches that weren't there 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 later after turning himself in to police following a large-scale manhunt.

Davies turned himself in to police two days later after a large-scale manhunt was launched. Police officers can be seen at the crime scene in the photo.

Prosecutor Stuart Packham told the court that while it was believed Davies may have been mentally impaired, the severity of the illness was disputed.

The court was also told that Davies attempted suicide after being questioned by police again in February 2022 before being transferred to a mental health centre.

He was later discharged and taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he spent several weeks.

Mr Packham told the court Davies could have controlled himself and he knew what he was doing was wrong

The trial will hear from experts who will testify that Davies was psychotic at the time of the alleged crimes.

The process continues.

If you need advice or support, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Sexual Assault Counselling Australia 1800 211 028 or Lifeline 13 11 14.