Rolf Harris appears in court accused of 13 child sexual offences

Rolf Harris yesterday appeared in court for the first time accused of 13 child sexual offences, including nine counts of assault and four counts of making indecent images of a child last year.

The 83-year-old Australian entertainer’s lawyer indicated that he would plead not guilty to the charges in the brief hearing at Westminster magistrates court in London.

Harris spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and sat expressionless in the glass-encased dock as the 13 charges were read to him by a court official.

Harris is accused of three counts of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 1986 and six of indecently assaulting a girl aged between 15 and 16 from 1980 to 1981.

He is also charged with four counts of making indecent images of a child between March and July 2012.

The Australian arrived at court with his wife, Alwen, who sat in the public gallery alongside members of the press for the hearing before deputy chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot. Harris was sent for a hearing at Southwark crown court on October 7th and released him on conditional bail.
– (Guardian Service)