Disgraced Rolf Harris claims jury was ‘poisoned’ in his indecent assault trial as he tries to overturn convictions
His barrister claims fresh evidence destroys the original case against him for indecent assault
JURORS who convicted Rolf Harris were "poisoned" by false allegations against the disgraced entertainer, his lawyers claimed today.
The cartoonist, singer and TV presenter is attempting to have his 2014 convictions quashed, claiming new evidence destroys the case against him.
Yesterday the court heard Harris, 87, hired private investigators to track down key witnesses including police officers.
Today defence barrister Stephen Vullo QC said the prosecution had used a "powerful tool" by directing the jury to use their common sense over the allegations.
He said: "With that power comes a responsibility" and prosecutors should not bring charges "that are very weak and not investigated properly."
Mr Vullo claimed false allegations had been put to the jury, adding: "Not intentionally - but that is what has happened.
"The problem comes when there is a drop of poison on the charge and the jury did not know that to be the case."
The "fresh evidence" is said to relate to the conflicting testimony of the father of a young autograph hunter whom Harris was convicted of groping at community centre in Portsmouth.
The dad said he would not have allowed her to attend as she was too young, the court heard.
Two ex-cops also said they were sure Harris was never there, although they admitted he could have gone without them knowing.
The frail former TV star, in a smart blue suit , sat in the public gallery at the Court of Appeal on day two of his hearing as Mr Vullo said the evidence was "overwhelming" that he was not present.
The barrister added he "does not have to show that all of the counts were unsafe" in his final submission to the three senior judges before they considered Harris' right to appeal.
But prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said even if two convictions are thrown out there is a wealth of evidence to find the other charges against Harris are safe.
Australian-born Harris, formerly of Bray Berks, was convicted in June 2014 of 12 indecent assaults against four victims - the eight-year-old autograph hunter, two teenage girls and his daughter's friend.
He was jailed for five years and nine months and stripped of honours including his CBE awarded in 2006.
In May this year the former Animal Hospital host was formally cleared of unconnected historical sex offences which he had denied.
A second jury trying the shamed TV star over claims he molested three young female fans had been discharged after failing to reach verdicts.
He was released from HMP Stafford on May 19 after serving less than half the sentence.
The shamed entertainer now faces an anxious wait to see if he will be cleared after judgement was reserved to a later date.
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