ROLF Harris has been jailed for five years and nine months for a string of sex
crimes on young women and girls.
The paedophile presenter, 84, was found guilty of 12 indecent assaults.
His sentence was later referred to the Attorney General’s office for being
unduly lenient.
One, from a former friend of his daughter Bindi, said she had been left “a
quivering wreck”.
The judge said: “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.”
He added: “For well over 50 years you have been a popular entertainer and
TV personality of international standing with a speciality in children’s
entertainment. You are also an artist of renown.
“You have been the recipient of a number of honours and awards over the years,
you have done many good and charitable works and numerous people have
attested to your positive good character.
“But the verdicts of the jury show that in the period from 1969 to 1986 you
were also a sex offender, committing 12 indecent assaults on four victims
who were variously aged between eight and 19 at the time.
“There were a number of aggravating features. You took advantage of the trust
placed in you because of your celebrity status to commit the offences
against three of the victims.
“All your offences in relation to (Bindi’s friend) were committed in breach of
the trust that her parents had placed in you and two of them took place in
her own home.
“In every case the age gap between you and the victim was a very considerable
one.
“You clearly got a thrill from committing the offences while others were
present or nearby.”
Peter Watt, director of national services at the NSPCC, said: “Harris was
opportunistic and brazen in targeting young girls and women. He took
advantage of their trust in him and we heard through the evidence of his
courageous victims just how profoundly damaging his abuse was on them for
decades after.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and hopefully those he
preyed upon can finally find some peace. It sends a message that no one is
untouchable and justice can come at any time.
“Harris has not shown any remorse for what he has done and treated the whole
court case like just another performance. Thankfully the jury saw through
this charade and he will now have a considerable amount of time to reflect
on the impact of his crimes.”
