Robert Stephen James Elphick: Albany man who assaulted off-duty cop charged with stalking officer after trial

A man found guilty of assaulting an off-duty police officer now stands accused of stalking the officer in the days after the verdict was handed down. Robert Stephen James Elphick, 33, was convicted of punching and throttling off-duty Albany police officer Aaron Liron in McKail on August 13 last year. Magistrate Dianne Scaddan found Elphick guilty of lunging at Mr Liron and trying to strangle him after realising he was a police officer. Mr Liron was responding to a suspected domestic violence incident, the court was told. Mr Elphick denied the assault charge, arguing he had been the victim of a brutal and unprovoked attack which left him needing facial surgery. The guilty verdict was handed down at Albany Magistrates Court on March 18 after a trial earlier in March. Mr Elphick was sentenced to a 12-month jail term, suspended for 12 months. If he pleads guilty to the stalking charge, he is at risk of triggering that term. Mr Elphick was back in Albany Magistrates Court on March 25 charged with stalking Mr Liron after he allegedly attended his parents’ house on two separate occasions. Police allege on March 23 and 24, Elphick approached Mr Liron’s parents at their home while Mr Liron was present. It is alleged he made threats and took photos of the property. Mr Elphick, who had spent 15 hours in custody after his arrest, was in court to make a bail application. Representing himself, Mr Elphick told the court he had been “upset at the end of the trial”. “Since spending 15 hours in custody I’ve had no choice but to think about my actions,” he said. “I severely regret them and wish I could take it back.” “I want to apologise to the family ¢ I’m sincerely sorry.” Police prosecutor Sgt Dave Loverock told the court the prosecution opposed bail. “The accused has sought to find the address (of the alleged victims) and searched to find the physical location,” he said. Sgt Loverock said Mr Elphick had attended the property “at least twice” since he had been found guilty of assault. On one occasion, one of Mr Liron’s parents asked if they knew him to which he replied: ‘You don’t want to’, Sgt Loverock told the court. “You think I’m scared to go to prison, I know where you live,” Mr Elphick is alleged to have said. Sgt Loverock said Mr Elphick had shown his “intent to pursue the victim”. The court was also told about Mr Elphick’s social media activity regarding the assault. “There have been several Facebook posts by the accused questioning the verdict,” he said. Sgt Loverock said there were no bail conditions that could adequately protect the victim. However Mr Elphick was granted bail on a $2000 personal undertaking. He will be required to report to Albany Police Station twice a week. Other bail conditions prohibit him from contacting Mr Liron’s parents or entering the area near their home. The magistrate said Mr Elphick must also comply with two restraining orders related to the assault case. He is due back in court on JUThursday, April 7.