Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris was found guilty on all 12 counts of indecent assault earlier this week. Following a six-week trial, the jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted Harris on the 12 counts of indecent assault from 12 initial charges dating from 1968 to 1986.
Today, Harris was sentenced to five years and nine months for his crimes at Southwark Crown Court. The entertainer arrived at court this morning with his daughter, Bindi, and niece, Jenny. Harris will serve half of that time and be released on licence.
Before the verdict was read out, several impact statements from the victims were presented to the court, including a childhood friend of Harris’ daughter who said the abuse made her feel: “dirty, grubby and disgusting.”
Six of the indecent assault counts relate to a girl aged 15 between April 1980 and April 1981, and one relates to the same victim at the age of 19 in the year between January 1984 and January 1985.
Three of the indecent assaults relate to a 14-year-old girl in May 1986.
The other two charges relate to the alleged indecent assault on a girl aged seven or eight between January 1968 and January 1970, and a girl aged 14 between January 1975 and January 1976.
It was also revealed in court today that Harris was facing four counts of making indecent images. However, prosecutors claimed he will not stand trial for downloading inappropriate images.
Police are investigating further claims from 13 women who came forward with allegations during Harris’ trial.
