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Rolf Harris guilty

84 y.o. found guilty of assaulting 4 girls, faces a lengthy jail sentence and a career in tatters.

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2014-07-01_0140Veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris AO, CBE, has been found guilty of child sex charges in a London court.

Harris, 84, was found guilty of assaulting four girls aged between seven and 19 over three decades and faces a lengthy jail sentence.

He remained impassive as the unanimous verdicts were delivered, with family members still watching on in support. Harris was released on bail until Friday when he will be sentenced.

The sensational verdict ends a high-profile legal case that attracted daily headlines for its sordid details, ending a once-glorious career.

Jenny Hopkins, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in London, said: “Rolf Harris used his status and position as a world famous children’s entertainer to sexually assault young girls over a period spanning 18 years.

“The victims in this case have suffered in silence for many years and have only recently found the courage to come forward. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery they displayed in coming to court and giving evidence. That bravery and determination has seen Rolf Harris brought to justice and held to account.

“Each victim, unknown to the others, described a similar pattern of behaviour; that of a man acting without fear of the consequences.”

Harris faced 12 charges of indecent assault between 1968 and 1986, seven of which related to a friend of his daughter.

She told the court he began assaulting her when she was just 13, but Harris claimed their sexual relationship had only began after she turned 18 and had been consensual.

During the trial Australian radio presenter Jane Marwick alleged that the performer had grabbed her breast after an interview in 2001, while former ABC TV newsreader Verity James told radio station 6PR that she and a female producer were also groped in 2000.

Scotland Yard has been in touch with Australian police, but it is not yet clear whether any investigations in Australia are underway.

Harris, whose 50 year performing career includes hosting shows such as Rolf’s Cartoon Club and Animal Hospital, is the second person to be convicted under Operation Yewtree.

16 Responses

  1. @Mac you summed up my thoughts exactly, its hard to accept someone you grew up watching on tv is guilty of these sort of crimes. But would’ve been even harder for the victims, imagine how awful it would be for them having to see him getting awarded an AO & playing model citizen knowing what he done to them.

  4. I’ve been appalled and sickened many times by stories of abuse but this is the first time I’ve ever felt absolutely crushed and disappointed. I so wanted to believe Rolf was innocent but have to accept now that he wasn’t everything I believed.

  5. im shattered and just feel disappointed. . I mean first robert hughes. I loved hey dad but I just cant watch the dvd of it anymore.

    Now this with Rolf. I feel for the victims and well done on them speaking out. I think he should be stripped of his AO and other titles he has.

  6. This is tragic for all involved. Harris has caused so much pain for his supporters and family but I feel sorry for his victims and hope this starts to bring some closure.

    @sillygostly – you really need to watch the news, the trial happened in the UK.

  7. @Animal – I find it amazing that you’re still banging on about this. You are mistaken – Greste was not given a fair trial, and that’s according to Egypt’s own legal procedural standards. You seem to be about the only one who hasn’t understood this.

  8. This scum of the earth is very lucky, he is not executed for his crimes.

    He was give a fair trial, and found guily.

    Like the trail Peter Greste the journalist was given.

  9. @sillygostly – Um, he’s been tried in the UK. The trial was in London. It was in all the papers. Nothing at all to do with the Australian justice system. Bet there’s been a change of a painting in Buckingham Palace. ARIA has withdrawn his “honour” or whatever it was they bestowed upon him.

  13. So he is guilty of some of the worst crimes imaginable and let free for a few more days to do what he wants. He mightn’t be a flight risk but lock up your children if you live in England. Not a flight risk. Wow.

  15. What a horrible, sordid mess. Good to see justice done, even though he is 84. It seems that a lot of these predators thought they could do what they like but their sins have found them out. Hope it brings some closure to the victims.

  16. @Cnrmlj
    He has not been sentenced yet. As he is not seen as a flight risk, there is no immediate need for containment until sentencing

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