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Crime

New complaint against infamous sex offender Peter Ellis alleges rape of 4yo, threat of 'demons and monsters'

Warning: This article contains graphic details which may disturb some people. 

A new complaint against convicted sex offender Peter Ellis alleges he raped a 4-year-old girl and threatened if she told anyone, she would die and "witches, demons and monsters" would come. 

Ellis was convicted of 16 sexual offences against children in 1993 - the following year, three of the charges were quashed when the one of the children admitted she lied.

Ellis died in 2019, but a posthumous appeal over his remaining convictions is ongoing in the Supreme Court.  Ellis always maintained he was innocent on all counts. 

On Thursday, Crown Lawyer John Billington summarised the complainant's evidence. She said she had a babysitter in the 1980s who asked her to call him Uncle Peter.

She said the man made her perform an indecent act and raped her before telling her if she told anyone she would die.

She remained silent until she was 15, when she reported it to police - there is no record of this report. 

Later, she saw Ellis in a 2000s documentary and recognised him as the man who had allegedly assaulted her - she complained to police again but did not wish to press charges.

Ellis' lawyer Robert Harrison said there were "several" issues with the new evidence.

"I cannot believe that a complainant would have walked into a police station in 1992 and 1993 and complained about Peter Ellis sexually abusing them, and nothing happening."

Billington acknowledged there were some issues with the evidence telling the court "it could be credible, it could not be credible".

The court has reserved its decision. 

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