The Power of the Paedos - another high profile case hits the 'never happened' wall?

[Magda Hassan]

Rolf Harris charged with indecent assault and making indecent images of a child

By Europe correspondent Mary Gearin, staff
Updated August 30, 2013 15:42:11
Video: Rolf Harris charged with indecent assault, indecent images (ABC News)
Photo: Rolf Harris has been re-bailed to a date later this month. (Reuters: Mick Tsikas, file photo)
Related Story: Rolf Harris re-arrested over sex abuse allegations
Map: England

Rolf Harris has made no public comment following revelations British police have charged him with nine counts of indecent assault and four counts of making indecent images of a child.
Six of the indecent assault charges relate to the alleged assault of a girl aged between 15 and 16 in the years 1980 and 1981, while the other three relate to the alleged assault of a 14-year-old girl in 1986.
The four charges of making indecent images of a child relate to alleged incidents between March and July 2012.
Most of the charges carry maximum sentences of five years, some carry a maximum of 10.
Neither Harris nor any of his representatives have made any comment.
The charges come as a part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation prompted by the child sexual abuse allegations against late BBC TV star Jimmy Savile.

Key points

• Rolf Harris charged with a total of 13 offences.
  
• Nine indecent-assault charges relate to alleged incidents with teenage girls in 1980-81 and 1986.
  
• Four charges of making an indecent image relate to alleged incidents in 2012.
  
• First arrested in November 29, 2012.
  
• Harris will appear in court on September 23.
  

Alison Saunders from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says evidence from the Metropolitan Police has been carefully considered.

'Realistic prospect' of conviction: prosecutors

Ms Saunders says there is sufficient evidence against Harris for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.
"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child," she said in a statement.
"The alleged indecent assaults date from 1980 to 1986 and relate to two complainants aged 14 and 15 at the time of the alleged offending.
"The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the DPP's interim guidelines on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse.
"We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest."

Court date set for September

Rolf Harris: Timeline

• Born in Perth in 1930.
  
• Harris moved to the UK in 1952 and begun drawing animation for TV.
  
• In 1957, Harris wrote 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport', which became a top-ten hit around the world.
  
• In 1973, he played the first-ever concert held in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.
  
• He invented the percussive instrument the "wobble board" in the 1970s.
  
• Harris later moved into TV, appearing on many British television shows in the 1970s and 80s.
  

Harris is set to appear in the Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 23.
Harris was first arrested on November 29 last year over alleged sexual offences.
He was re-arrested earlier this month but was granted bail without being charged.
A file of evidence was passed on to the CPS from the Metropolitan Police on August 12.
It is notable to say that this is the first time Scotland Yard has actually named Harris.
It has only been the media that in the past few months have published his name and his identity in relation to this investigation.
Harris has been keeping a very low profile and the police, in turn, also have been very circumspect about giving any information out.

Harris charges not related to Savile abuse

Harris's case relates to the third strand of Operation Yewtree, which is investigating allegations of abuse not related to the Savile scandal but which emerged in its wake.
He is now the fourth person to be charged as a result of the operation.
While Harris is yet to make any public comment about the allegations, the veteran entertainer alluded to the scandal during a concert in Bristol in May.
"You've got no idea what this means to have you turn up with such enthusiasm and such support," he told the audience.
Harris received a standing ovation at the beginning and end of the concert.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-29/ro...fo/4923596