‘Evil 8’ rape accused pleads not guilty in WA court

A Western Australian man accused of sexually abusing a girl who was pimped out by her own father has pleaded not guilty to several charges.

Alfred John Impicciatore, 46, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court today via videolink from Hakea prison, where he pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexually penetrating a child, one count of possessing child exploitation material and two counts of breaching bail.

Impicciatore was jailed in September after he allegedly breached bail by missing a court appearance, later claiming he went to Royal Perth Hospital because he was overwhelmed and anxious about the public attention on the case.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in the WA District Court on January 27. 

Eight men were originally named in the notorious case, with the group dubbed the "Evil 8" by local media.

That number was reduced to seven because one of them was not charged with offences related to the girl, who was abused when she was aged between 11 and 13.

Those who have been jailed so far include the victim's father, who is appealing his 22-year sentence.