Rolf Harris denies indecent assaults

Entertainer and artist Rolf Harris yesterday denied a series of indecent assaults.

Rolf Harris will enter his plea later today. Picture: PA

Harris, 83, of Bray in Berkshire, appeared at Southwark Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to 12 counts, alleged to have taken place between 1968 and 1986.

Wearing a blue jacket, white shirt and red tie, he stood in the dock and replied “not guilty” to each of the charges as they were read by the clerk.

He was accompanied by his wife Alwen, who arrived at court in a wheelchair, and his daughter Bindi.

The allegations of indecent assault Harris faces are: six counts on a girl aged 15 between 5 April, 1980 and 4 April, 1981; one on a woman aged 19 between 1 January, 1984 and 1 January, 1985; three on a 14-year-old girl on 31 May, 1986; one on a girl of seven or eight between 1 January, 1968 and 1 January, 1970; and one on a girl aged 14 between 1 January, 1975 and 1 January, 1976. The charges relate to four alleged victims.

He has yet to be arraigned on four counts of making an indecent image of a child.

Harris is due to face trial on 30 April. The veteran performer made no comment to waiting reporters as he left the courtroom.

He was released on bail on the conditions that he does not contact prosecution witnesses, lives at his home address in Bray and does not spend time with anyone under the age of 18 without being accompanied by someone aged over 21.