Rolf Harris To Be Charged With Seven Counts Of Indecent Assault

Rolf Harris To Be Charged With More Counts Of Indecent Assault
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Entertainer Rolf Harris is to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

The alleged offences occurred between 1971 and 2004 against complainants aged from 12 to 27 when the incidents occurred.

Harris will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 17 March.

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The CPS said in a statement: "Having completed our review in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault."

Evidence for the case has been gathered as part of Operation Yewtree.

The artist and musician was convicted of 12 indecent assaults at London's Southwark Crown Court on June 30 2015 - one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens, and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter's friend over 16 years.

Jurors were told that his 16-year campaign of sex abuse against his daughter's friend ''haunted'' her and made her abandon her dreams as he continued to be adored by millions of fans worldwide.

His fall from grace was underlined as he was stripped of a Bafta fellowship and accolades in his native Australia were removed.

Harris was jailed for five years and nine months for the sex abuse, meaning he is due to serve just under three years for the crimes, which took place between 1968 and 1986.

Liz Dux, abuse lawyer at Slater & Gordon, who represented victims of Rolf Harris, said at the time: "The victims will be very relieved. They have already been through the horrific ordeal of a long and extremely stressful trial.

"They want this over so they can get on with their lives as best they can, although for some the damage Harris has done will sadly be irreparable.

"We must not forget the very serious nature of the crimes Harris committed. Justice has rightly been done and the victims will be pleased at the outcome."

More to follow...