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Disgraced TV star ... Rolf Harris has pleaded not guilty to further charges of indecent assault against women and girls in a London court. Picture: Danny E Martindale/Getty Images
WITH arms like an octopus and warm breath through a prickly beard uttering hushed come-ons, entertainer Rolf Harris used “opportunity†and his star status to allegedly assault young girls including one who was blind, a London court has heard.
Two years since he was convicted over a string of sexual assaults, the 85-year-old Australian was back in the dock facing another eight charges related to indecent assaults on girls and young women spanning from 1971 through to 2004 when he was already in his 70s.
The Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday heard the disgraced entertainer, already in jail with a five-year, eight-month sentence, allegedly assaulted four girls including, one who was aged about 12.
Dressed in a grey suit and a stripy tie similar to the one he wore through his last trial, Harris appeared on video link from jail and gave a firm “not guilty†declaration after each charge was read out to the court.
“My name is Rolf — R.O.L.F — Harris, 30 March 1930, HMP Stafford,†he said as he was asked to state his name, age and current address before being called on to enter pleas to seven counts of indecent assault and one of intentionally sexually touching a girl 13 years or over without consent.
Assault charges ... Rolf Harris with his wife Alwen Hughes after being found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges at Southwark Crown Court on June 30, 2014. Picture: Ben A Pruchnie/Getty ImagesSource:Supplied
In the first count, the court heard he allegedly spotted a 14-year-old at Lyceum Theatre in central London where she was attending with a youth band.
He was smirking at her before he put a hand on her waist, pulled her onto his knee, then his lap and put his hand up her mini dress onto her vaginal area.
A few years later in 1977 Harris was doing a radio broadcast in the Portsmouth area when a 12-year-old girl described as “vulnerable†went to the station with her mother to get an autograph. Again he allegedly did the same but this time put his hand inside her knickers.
Prosecutor Sam Maine told court the speed at which Harris made his move suggested he was experienced at such an abuse.
Later that year at a London Hospital internal radio broadcast booth he approached a partially blind older girl, aged 16 years or over, and allegedly told her, “Has anyone told you what a good looking woman you are?†as he came up behind her.
The girl described how she felt “the hot air from his nostrils†and beard tickling her skin as he began kissing the back of her neck.
“Oh you are gorgeous, you are a beautiful woman,†he allegedly continued and his hands spread down her back and later over her breasts.
“Don’t be like that, don’t be frightened, you’ve got nothing to be frightened about I’m not going to hurt you.â€
He pointed out she couldn’t see him since she was blind but to understand, “I’m a touchy feely sort of blokeâ€.
Legal representative ... Rolf Harris’ lawyer Daniel Berke read a statement outside court in March 2016. Picture: Ella PellegriniSource:News Corp Australia
In her statement read to court the now woman said she felt completely entrapped as his octopus-like hands with fingers stretched as far as they could during the 10-minute ordeal.
A year later he allegedly indecently assaulted another girl at a “It’s A Knock Out†style celebrity games in Cambridge telling the girl she was irresistible and later another girl, again at the BBC TV Centre in London, participating in a kids program where he allegedly told her after: “Do you often get molested on Saturday morningsâ€.
In another uttering at a music studio, where he was rehearsing for Glastonbury Music Festival, he allegedly told a 19-year old woman rehearsing in a crop top she was beautiful as he caressed her back and said what he really found attractive was when one lined up the dimples on a back with her “bum crack†and it made the shape of a diamond.
In 2004 and back at the BBC TV Centre he allegedly attended an after-party where he grabbed a woman on her breasts and thrust his crotch into her and, according to Mr Maine, “into her wither vacant expressionâ€.
He said the behaviour was characterised by an abuse of trust, were largely opportunistic and showed form.
Musician ... Rolf Harris performs after Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin in December 1974. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Corp Australia
Defending Harris, Stephen Vullo QC had requested it was unfair for the details to be made “in front of the media circus†to which District Judge Quentin Purdy overruled and said it was a public court.
Outside court, delivering a statement on behalf of Harris’ family, solicitor Daniel Berke said: “We are disappointed and saddened that the CPS have decided to take Rolf, who will be 86-years-old at the end of March, on another trial.
“Nevertheless he has, as he has always done, co-operated with the authorities. We, for our part, will do all we can as a family to assist him in proving his innocence.â€
The case continues on April 14.
Harris has been an accomplished singer, songwriter and painter for 50 years, scoring a string of hits around the world and major art works including an official portrait for the Queen in her palace and receiving various awards and knighthoods.