Rolf Harris

Disgraced television entertainer Rolf Harris has had one of 12 indecent assault convictions against him overturned by the court of appeal.

The three judges examining the appeal - Lord Justice Treacy, Mrs Justice McGowan and the Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown - ruled that the conviction was unsafe, announcing their decision on Thursday (November 16th) in London. However, they rejected applications from the 87 year old to challenge the other 11 indecent assault convictions.

The Australian-born former artist and musician was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault at Southwark Crown Court back in June 2014, and was jailed for five years and nine months for the crimes which took place between 1968 and 1986. He has since been released from that sentence.

Continue reading: One Count Of Indecent Assault Against Rolf Harris Overturned

Disgraced former entertainer Rolf Harris has been cleared of four sexual assault charges in addition to the convictions that sent him to prison three years ago, after a jury could not reach verdicts regarding any of the charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also ruled out bringing a further re-trial against Harris, who had denied indecently assaulting three teenage girls at public and televised events between 1971 and 1983. It had been a re-trial on three old counts after a jury in a previous trial had also failed to reach verdicts, with a fourth count emerging subsequently.

“I feel no sense of victory, only relief,” a statement read by Harris’ lawyer outside Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday (May 30th) said. He added: “I'm 87 years old, my wife is in ill health and we simply want to spend our remaining time together in peace.”

Continue reading: Rolf Harris Cleared Of Sex Assault Charges As CPS Rules Out Further Re-Trial

When Ian Watkins pleaded guilty to 13 charges of sexual assault in December 2013, we all wondered how the rest of the Lostprophets simply could not have known that in their midst was a serial sex offender. At the time of Watkins' sentencing, they released a statement explaining they were entirely unaware of his crimes. Now, seven months on, Stuart Richardson and Lee Gaze have explained how they have dealt with the knowledge of their former front man's acts and sentencing.

No Devotion are keen to seperate themselves from the Lostprophets controversey

Watkins was first arrested and charged in December 2012. It took over a year for Watkins' case to be brought to court and his sentence was carried out last December. He was charged with 13 counts of sexual assault including attempted rape of a one-year-old child, possession of indecent images of children and another of animal pornography. With so many question and accusations levied at the band, as to how they could have been unknowing about their lead singer's sexual proclivities, what remained of the Lost Prophets released a statement. They stated "Many of you understandably want to know if we knew what Ian was doing. To be clear: We did not."

Continue reading: Former Lostprophets Band Mates On Ian Watkins: "What A F**king C**t"

Vanessa Feltz has spoken out about her accusations against Rolf Harris. The television presenter spoke about the alleged incident, which occurred in 1996, whilst on her BBC London breakfast show on Monday morning (7th July).

Vanessa Feltz has explained why she did not contact the police after the alleged assault.

Read More: BBC Resists Calls For Rolf Harris Enquiry Saying Offences Do Not Relate To Them.

Continue reading: Vanessa Feltz Lists Reasons For Not Contacting Police About Alleged Rolf Harris Assault

Rolf Harris has been sentenced to the best part of 6 years in prison after he was found guilty for 12 counts of indecent assault. The sentence comes under the remit of “unduly lenient”, the office of the Attorney General has now confirmed.

Rolf Harris has been found guilty and sentenced on abuse charges - photo: Getty 2014, Tristan Fewings

The judge told Harris: "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.

Continue reading: Rolf Harris Is Sentenced 5 Years And 9 Months In Jail For Indecent Assault

Rolf Harris has been found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1986. The charges relate to four alleged victims, the youngest of whom was just seven or eight at the time. The jury made up of six men and six women were sent out to consider their verdicts on June 19 and returned on Monday morning to deliver the decision.

Rolf Harris Was Found Guilty on 12 Counts

During the Rolf Harris trial, which opened on May 9, prosecutors claimed that the entertainer was a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who had a darker side to his personality and used his global fame to abuse young girls. His defence had said Harris' reputation had been "trashed" by the prosecution which did not reach the standard of criminal proof. 

Continue reading: Rolf Harris Facing 10 Years In Prison After Guilty Verdicts

Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC has described Rolf Harris as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character to portray the alleged abuse for which he is currently a defendant in a high profile trial. She suggests Harris's alleged victims were overawed, saying: "Mr Harris was too famous, too powerful and his reputation made him untouchable," according to multiple sources, including Herald Scotland. 

Rolf Harris is facing 12 charges of indecent assault

Harris’ case spans 25 years from the late 1960s and covers 10 complainants, none of whom can be named for legal reasons. Harris faces charges in connection with only four of these, with the remainder of the alleged offences taking place outside the UK before 1997, the date before they could be prosecuted in a British court.

Continue reading: Prosecutor Alleges "Jekyll And Hyde" Nature To Rolf Harris During Abuse Trial

Rolf Harris appeared in court yesterday, Monday 23rd September, charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of children.

Rolf Harris outside the ITV studios, photographed before his legal troubles began.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the 83-year-old answered briefly to personal questions and was referred to Southwark Crown Court. He was granted bail and released with his first court appearance set for 7th October. 

Continue reading: Rolf Harris In Court On Sex Offence Charges

Stuart Hall's prison sentence was passed down at Preston Crown Court on Monday (June 17, 2013), with the veteran BBC broadcaster told he will serve 15 months for sexually abusing under-age girls. Hall, 83, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, had admitted to 14 offences that occurred between 1967 and 1985. One of the girls was just nine-years-old when Hall assaulted her.

The broadcaster's barrister Crispin Aylett told the court that Hall has "all of 13" victims, compared to Jimmy Savile's 1,300. Prosecuting barrister Peter Wright QC said Hall's first victim was 16 at the time of the assault, with the TV personality meeting her at a prize giving ceremony at the BBC studios in Piccadilly, Manchester. 

Continue reading: Stuart Hall Sent To Prison For 15 Months: Is It Long Enough?

Courtney Love doesn’t have much of a track record when it comes to cover versions. With her band Hole, she would often play a version of Guns N Roses’ ‘Paradise City’ that she would abandon half way through. Same goes for Depeche Mode’s ‘Hungry Like A Wolf,’ though the band did release a brilliant cover of Velvet Underground’s ‘Pale Blue Eyes,’ it has to be said.

When we heard that Courtney Love covered Jay Z’s ’99 Problems,’ though, we feared for the worst. And, sadly, our fears were confirmed. “This either sucks or it’s genius, I don’t know,” she said as she introduced the song at her impromptu Sundance Film Festival set.

Continue reading: In Light Of Courtney Love Covering Jay Z's '99 Problems': Five Most Unlikely Cover Versions