Music Feeds reported back in August on charges filed against Australian entertainer Rolf Harris for offences relating to the indecent assault of several girls. The 83-year-old appeared in court yesterday charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of children.
Harris is currently out on bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for Monday, 7th October 2013. His appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday was brief. Accompanied by his wife Alwen, other relatives, and several bodyguards, the entertainer answered personal questions before being referred to Southwark Crown Court and given bail.
The 83-year-old remained silent as press waiting outside the court swarmed his entourage. His appearance inside the court was similarly terse, stating his name and address for the judge before receiving his referral. Harris’ lawyer has indicated that his client has chosen to plead not guilty.
The charges levelled against the artist refer to an alleged assault on a girl aged between 15 and 16, sometime between 1980 and 1981, as well as three charges relating to an assault on 14-year-old girl in 1986, while offences regarding indecent images of children are alleged to have been committed between March and July 2012.
Harris first came to the attention of police as part of Operation Yewtree, an initiative organised to investigate historical charges of sexual assault. The allegations against Harris came to light after police investigation into the crimes of late entertainer Jimmy Savile and other entertainers during the period.
Harris was first interviewed by police in late 2012, before being arrested and released on bail in March of this year, and subsequently re-arrested in August.
(Via Contactmusic.com)
