Australian entertainment legend Rolf Harris faces abuse trial in London

AUSTRALIAN entertainment legend Rolf Harris is set to go on trial in London on charges of indecently assaulting seven girls and women.

JURORS will be empanelled on Monday, January 9 in London as Australian entertainment legend Rolf Harris goes on trial on charges of indecently assaulting seven girls and women.

Harris, 86, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege he committed the offences over a period spanning 30 years.

His trial will start Monday at Southwark Crown Court in London.

However, due to his age and health, the Crown prosecution and defence teams have agreed that Harris will not have to appear in person, and he will instead appear by video-link.

It is understood to be the first time in England a defendant has attended his own trial by video-link, and the court has reserved the right to call Harris in person if the technology fails.

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Rolf Harris, 86, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege he committed the offences over a period spanning 30 years. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The Crown alleges he indecently assaulted a number of girls and women, including one girl aged less than 13 years.

The allegations relate to incidents which occurred between 1971 and 2004.

Harris is facing seven charges of indecent assault, and an eighth charge of sexual assault, which is an alternative charge to one of the counts of indecent assault.

The alternative charge alleges between April 30, 2004 and May 7, 2004, Harris intentionally touched a female.

The charge states that: “the touching was sexual, (the complainant) did not consent to it, and Rolf Harris did not reasonably believe that (the complainant) consented.’’

It is further alleged that on July 10, 1971, he indecently assaulted a girl aged under 16 years.

Further, it is alleged that between January 1, 1977 and December 4, 1977, he indecently assaulted a girl under the age of 13 years.

Rolf Harris, pictured here with his wife Alwen Hughes, will attend his own trial by video-link. Picture: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

A further charge alleges he indecently assaulted a female on September 17, 1977.

Between May 31, 1978 and July 10, 1978, he is alleged to have indecently assaulted another female.

On New Year’s Eve, 1983 he is alleged to have indecently assaulted a girl under the age of 16 years.

And on June 14, 2002, he is alleged to have indecently assaulted a female.

At least one of the incidents is alleged to have happened at the old BBC broadcasting centre in west London.

Australian-born Harris is a singer, artist, TV host and entertainer who built an extraordinary career in the UK, particularly with the national broadcaster BBC, who also commissioned him to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth for her 80th birthday.

He was known for his quirky songs such as Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport and Jake the Peg, and he played the didgeridoo and a device known as a wobbleboard as he entertained generations of children in a career that lasted more than 50 years.

His trial may take up to seven weeks to reach a conclusion.