Rolf Harris accuser says trial was ‘hideous experience’ but has ‘no regrets’

ONE of the women whose complaints were at the heart of Rolf Harris’ two most recent trials for sexual assault has spoken out about the impact the case had on her family.

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court in London after a jury failed to reach a verdict on four counts of indecent assault against three teenage girls between 1971 and 1983. Picture: AFP / Justin TALLIS

EXCLUSIVE: One of the women whose complaints to police were at the heart of Rolf Harris’ two most recent trials for sexual assault has spoken out about the devastating impact the court case had on her family.

The woman, who alleged Harris assaulted her at a televised “Star Games” in Cambridge in 1978 when she was 16, told News Corp Australia her family was torn apart by Harris’ defence team who used private investigators to gather evidence to undermine witnesses’ testimonies.

But she said she did not regret coming forward to the police decades after the event and felt “vindicated” after a second jury was unable to settle on whether Harris was guilty or not.

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris at Southwark Crown Court in London. He was released from a British prison this week to attend court in person. Picture: AFP / Justin TALLIS

‘HIDEOUS EXPERIENCE’

“I am quite positive that after two trials, despite Rolf Harris throwing millions of pounds at defence and private detectives, he wasn’t able to get a not-guilty verdict for something that happened nearly 40 years ago and where there were no witnesses,” the alleged victim told News Corp Australia.

“I feel I did the right thing, that we were going to be extremely lucky to get a guilty verdict.”

The woman said she decided to tell her story because she wanted to encourage other women who had been abused to come forward.

Former television entertainer Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court as his niece Jenny Harris lifts her hand in front of cameras. Harris has already served a jail sentence for molesting four girls aged between seven and 19. Picture: Carl Court / Getty

She said she was “relieved” the case was over but had told the prosecution she would not give evidence if there was another trial because of the strain on her family.

“I am not prepared to involve my family and friends and colleagues again,” she said.

“It is a hideous experience.

“The defence barrister tore my family life apart, brought it on the court floor, stomped all over it and picked the bones out of it.”

EXPENSIVE DEFENCE

Harris is believed to have spent at least $A5.1 million on private investigators and lawyers for each of his two trials this year.

The disgraced former children’s entertainer walked free on Tuesday after he was found not guilty of four sexual assault charges when a jury could not reach a verdict.

It was the second jury to fail to reach agreement on allegations Harris molested three teenage girls between 1971 and 1983.

Prosecution barrister Jonathan Rees QC told the court the Crown would not seek a second retrial after the jury was dismissed when they failed to reach a verdict following less than five hours of deliberations.

Judge Deborah Taylor then entered a verdict of not guilty and released Harris.

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court in London. Prosecutors saying they would not seek a retrial. Picture: AFP / Justin TALLIS

Two of the charges against Harris related to alleged assaults of the then 16-year-old woman in 1978. He had also been accused of groping a 14-year-old girl at London’s Lyceum Theatre in 1971 and grabbing the breast of a 13-year-old girl at a BBC TV studio 1983.

At an earlier trial in February, another jury failed to reach a verdict on three charges relating to the same allegations.

The 87-year-old former children’s entertainer was released from Stafford Prison on 19 May where he had been serving time for 12 other convictions of indecent assault.

He was released from prison half way through a sentence of five years and nine months that was handed down in June 2014.

Harris did not give evidence in the trial and his lawyers told the court he did not remember meeting the women he was alleged to have assaulted.

HARRIS OFF THE HOOK

In a statement read by his solicitor outside the court, Harris said he was relieved at the result and wanted to be left in peace to care for his ailing wife Alwen.

“While I am pleased this is finally over, I feel no sense of victory just relief,” Harris said in the statement.

“I’m 87-years-old, my wife is in ill health and we simply want to spend our remaining time together in peace.”

The former entertainer remained silent as he left the court together with his loyal niece Jenny who has supported him every day of the trial.

His lawyers have previously suggested he may appeal his convictions.

Convicted sex offender Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court. Picture: Carl Court / Getty

It can also be revealed that Harris had sought permission to leave prison early and give evidence by video link from his mansion in Bray, west of London, or at a hotel in order to be near his 85 year old wife.

The attempt was discussed in a closed hearing but defence barrister Stephen Vullo QC later mentioned the bid for a “video link from home address” in open court when the jury were absent.

Harris instead watched the trial by video link from jail before being released on 19 May, after which he attended court in person.