The entertainer was found guilty of
12 sex attacks against four women, the youngest of who was aged seven at the
time of the attack
The assault can be reported after Harris, who first found fame in the
1960s, was convicted of the sex offences at Southwark Crown Court. He will be
sentenced for the attacks on Friday.
Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defended the
decision to pursue Harris, insisting it was a sensible prosecution, not made by
"campaigning" lawyers.
She said that the CPS was not caught up in the "hysteria"
surrounding the phone hacking and historic sex crimes scandals.
"We are not there to campaign," she told Radio 4's Today
programme.
"We are objective. We look at the evidence that's put before
us."
Harris, who became such a part of the British establishment that he was
chosen to paint the Queen’s portrait to mark her 80th birthday, is now likely
to be stripped of his CBE.
He could also see further charges after it emerged that dozens more
alleged victims have come forward during the trial.
Harris, who was reputed to have an £11 million fortune, could also now
face a string of compensation claims from his victims.
However, recent reports suggest that he may have taken steps to move
assets out of his name, diminishing his apparent wealth.
He could also see further charges after it emerged that dozens more
alleged victims have come forward during the trial.
Harris, who was reputed to have an £11 million fortune, could also now
face a string of compensation claims from his victims.
However, recent reports suggest that he may have taken steps to move
assets out of his name, diminishing his apparent wealth.
The claims can only be revealed today after the judge refused an
application to have the woman included as a witness in the trial.
Supported by his wife Alwen Hughes and daughter Bindi, throughout the
trial, he showed no emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, warned him he faced a custodial
sentence, telling his lawyer: “In reality given the conviction on all 12 counts
it is inevitable that the type of sentence that is uppermost in the court’s
mind is a custodial sentence and he must understand that.”
Several women in his native Australia have made fresh claims of abuse
against him and Scotland Yard detectives have been liaising with them about the
possibility of further charges.
The NSPCC said it had received 28 calls relating to Harris to date,
involving 13 people who claim they also fell prey to the performer.
Harris was convicted of groping one woman when she was seven or eight,
another two as teenagers and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter’s then
best friend.
During the trial, the court also heard from six other women who claim
they were groped by Harris while abroad.
After the verdicts, Harris walked slowly away from the building, with
an emotional Alwen and Bindi by his side.
The family was flanked by three security guards as they faced a throng
of international media.
Outside court Detective Chief Inspector Mick Orchard said: “Rolf Harris
has habitually denied any wrong doing, forcing his victims to recount their
ordeal in public.
“He committed many offences in plain sight of people as he thought his celebrity
status placed him above the law.”
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