Rolf Harris leaves court after being found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges at Southwark Crown Court after a seven week trial in London. 84-year-old Harris who has been found guilty of indecently assaulting four girls between 1968 and 1986. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
Rolf Harris has been found guilty on 12 charges of indecent assault against four girls, from 1968 to 1986.
Mr Justice Sweeney said a jail term was “uppermost in the court’s mind” but he would hear evidence as to Harris’ state of health before sentencing on Friday.
The trial began in early May, when prosecutor Sasha Wass QC told the jury Harris was a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ character whose immense talent and popularity hid a dark side: he was sexually attracted to young girls.
However the defence – and Harris himself – denied all the charges, saying his accusers were lying, their stories inconsistent and unbelievable.
Both Harris' wife Alwen and daughter Bindi were in court to hear the verdicts.
The Harris family gasped and some held hands in the public gallery as the verdicts were announced.
Alwen was comforted by family members in a side room afterwards, and Bindi was in a supportive embrace with Harris' long-time publicist Jan Kennedy.
Harris’ PR agent sent out a brief message saying neither his legal team nor his family would comment on the verdicts.
Rolf Harris himself sat without obvious emotion, and gave a brief wave to his family as he walked out of the court with his lawyers.
The 84 year-old entertainer will remain on bail pending a medical report before his sentencing on Friday.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald