Disturbing news has emerged today, with word coming in of three new sex abuse allegations against Australian veteran entertainer Rolf Harris, according to the ABC.
Rolf Harris, an Australian entertainment icon and stalwart of the industry, has had a tumultuous year, following his arrest and bail in the UK in March, regarding the investigation known as Operation Yewtree – spurring off the similar case of DJ Jimmy Savile and designed to investigate six alleged sex offenders. Under this investigation, Harris was widely believed to be the man behind the pseudonym ‘Yewtree 5’, who was charged in August this year. Harris was charged with nine counts of indecent assault, along with four counts of making indecent images of a child.
Today’s allegations are as equally sordid as Harris’ previous charges, with one of the allegations reportedly related to a girl “aged seven or eight” during the 1960’s. The ABC reports the other two fresh allegations involve a 14 year old girl in 1975 and a 19 year old woman in 1984.
According to the ABC, Harris’ trial will begin in just under month on January 14; his defence has allegedly signalled to plead not guilty to the charges. Public appearances by Rolf Harris this year have been rare and very few comments from the 83 year old Australian have been made in regards to operation yewtree or his charges. In August during an address during a performance in Hampshire, Rolf Harris told his fans in an emotional speech, “Just before I go any further, I would just like to thank you all for my support … for your support.” He continued: “I didn’t say it very well, but you know what I mean. Thank you for your support, I will always wear it.”
Via ABC.
