Rolf Harris case: Police to review fresh claims after conviction

Police in the UK is considering fresh allegations against entertainer Rolf Harris after he was convicted of assaulting four girls.

Rolf Harris, 84, was found guilty on June 30 of 12 counts of assault in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Following the verdict, police said it would look at fresh allegations, which did not form part of his trial.

Dozens more of Rolf Harris’ alleged victims came forward during the trial, some from his native Australia.

Australian PM Tony Abbott said he was “gutted and dismayed” by the conviction of the Perth-born artist and entertainer.

Prosecutors said Harris was a “Jekyll and Hyde” character who took advantage of his fame.

The judge said a custodial term would be “uppermost in the court’s mind” when sentence was delivered on Friday, but he wanted to see a medical report before passing sentence.

Six other women also told the court about assaults Rolf Harris had carried out against them. The entertainer was not prosecuted over those incidents but the evidence was introduced by the prosecution as an added illustration of his behavior.

Speaking after the entertainer was convicted, Detective Chief Inspector Mick Orchard, said: “I want to thank the women who came forward for their bravery, I hope today’s guilty verdict will give them closure and help them to begin to move on with their lives.

“Today’s case and verdict once again shows that we will always listen to, and investigate allegations regardless of the time frame or those involved.”

A police spokesman added the force had “received a number of allegations and these are now being considered”.

Rolf Harris was a mainstay of family entertainment in Britain and his native Australia for more than 50 years. He arrived in London in 1952, becoming a fixture on TV screens as a children’s entertainer and songwriter.

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