ZapGossip

Rolf Harris jailed for five years, nine months


Rolf Harris has been jailed for five years and nine months after being found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault.

The 84-year-old TV presenter was convicted of attacking four underage girls, including the friend of his daughter Bindi Nicholls, between 1968 and 1986 on Monday (30.06.14), and his sentencing took place at London’s Southwark Crown Court this afternoon (04.07.14).

Mr Justice Sweeney told Rolf: "You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all. Your reputation lies in ruins, you have been stripped of your honours, but you have no one to blame but yourself."

In a long-running and emotional seven-week trial, a jury heard how Harris had a "dark side" behind what the prosecution described as his "friendly and lovable exterior".

The ‘Animal Hospital’ star strenuously denied sexually assaulting a friend of his daughter’s as a teenager, but conceded he did have a relationship with the woman – now 40 – in her adult years.

The unidentified female accused Harris of abusing her from the age of 13 and claims the TV star performed a sex act on her at his home in Bray, Berkshire, and didn’t seem troubled by the fact Bindi was asleep nearby.

Harris was first questioned by police in November 2012 and his name was made public in April 2013.

He was re-arrested and questioned over further alleged sexual offences last August, before the case went to trial in April.