Parent ‘uneasy’ at Rolf Harris visiting UK primary school

A parent has spoken of their unease that disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris walked onto the grounds of their child’s primary school.
Rolf Harris alarmed parents after visiting Oldfield Primary School in BerkshireRolf Harris alarmed parents after visiting Oldfield Primary School in Berkshire
Rolf Harris alarmed parents after visiting Oldfield Primary School in Berkshire

The convicted sex offender, who was jailed for five years and nine months in 2014 and released on licence in May 2017, went onto the premises of Oldfield Primary School in Bray, Berkshire, on Tuesday.

He was reportedly at the school to talk to a sculptor working in the grounds.

Read More
Harry Potter star loses £1m tax refund battle

Harris left as soon as he was asked.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The school has stressed that no pupils came into contact with him.

But a parent of a Year 5 pupil at the school said: “It’s a funny one.

“We got a very odd email yesterday and we knew it was going to be him. I think it’s very odd, the whole thing.

“I know my child is safe and I completely trust the school, but it’s just a bit strange and I feel a bit uneasy about why he did it.

“What was he doing there?

“I feel like it was a really bad judgement call and I don’t think his excuse is effective enough.”

The parent, who did not wish to be named, said the incident “forced” them to explain who Harris was to their child.

They continued: “It’s never been an issue before, but having to explain to my child who he was and some of the stuff he had done.

“The conversation was forced upon me.”

They say their child “wasn’t scared, just curious” and asked questions including: “Who is this man? What did he do? Where does he live? How do you know about him?”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thames Valley Police said an officer attended the school after being called on Tuesday afternoon, but no offence was committed and no arrests were made.

Harris declined to answer journalists’ questions about what he was doing at the school when he left his gated home near the Thames today.

He was driven away in a Range Rover.

Harris was convicted of 12 indecent assaults at London’s Southwark Crown Court in June 2014.

These included one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens, and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter’s friend over 16 years.

In May 2017 he was formally cleared of four unconnected historical sex offences, which he had denied.

Later the same year, one of the 12 indecent assault convictions was overturned by the Court of Appeal.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said officials were looking into the matter and “appropriate action” would be taken.

“When sex offenders are released they are subject to strict licence conditions and are liable to be returned to custody for breaching them,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are looking into these reports and will take appropriate action.”