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Rolf Harris trial: Entertainer 'assaulted friend of daughter' Rolf Harris trial: Entertainer 'assaulted friend of daughter'
(35 minutes later)
Rolf Harris groomed and molested a friend of his daughter from the age of 13 onwards, a court has heard.Rolf Harris groomed and molested a friend of his daughter from the age of 13 onwards, a court has heard.
The children's entertainer is accused of indecently assaulting her and three other girls between 1968 and 1986.The children's entertainer is accused of indecently assaulting her and three other girls between 1968 and 1986.
The court heard she used alcohol to cope from the age of 14 and was abused by Mr Harris until she was 29.The court heard she used alcohol to cope from the age of 14 and was abused by Mr Harris until she was 29.
Outlining its case at Southwark Crown Court, the prosecution described Mr Harris, 84, as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character. He denies all 12 charges.Outlining its case at Southwark Crown Court, the prosecution described Mr Harris, 84, as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character. He denies all 12 charges.
His alleged victims were aged between seven or eight and 19 when the offences are said to have taken place.His alleged victims were aged between seven or eight and 19 when the offences are said to have taken place.
Seven of the 12 counts are alleged to have been carried out on one victim - his daughter's friend - who lived near the Harris family in south London in the 1960s.Seven of the 12 counts are alleged to have been carried out on one victim - his daughter's friend - who lived near the Harris family in south London in the 1960s.
The court was read a letter Mr Harris is said to have written to the victim's father in 1997 asking for his forgiveness.The court was read a letter Mr Harris is said to have written to the victim's father in 1997 asking for his forgiveness.
The jury was told Mr Harris wrote that the woman had confronted him about the alleged abuse.The jury was told Mr Harris wrote that the woman had confronted him about the alleged abuse.
"[She] told me she had been terrified of me," he is said to have written. "I said why didn't you just say no? She said to me: 'How could I say no to the great television star Rolf Harris?'""[She] told me she had been terrified of me," he is said to have written. "I said why didn't you just say no? She said to me: 'How could I say no to the great television star Rolf Harris?'"
Prosecuting, Sasha Wass QC said Mr Harris "accepts that he's had a sexual relationship with her, but avoids admitting that it took place while she was under age".Prosecuting, Sasha Wass QC said Mr Harris "accepts that he's had a sexual relationship with her, but avoids admitting that it took place while she was under age".
'Exploited children'
The court heard how she was abused while on holiday with the family as well as in her home and his.The court heard how she was abused while on holiday with the family as well as in her home and his.
Ms Wass said the girl was groomed like "a young puppy who had been trained to obey".Ms Wass said the girl was groomed like "a young puppy who had been trained to obey".
She said the assaults continued "when the opportunity arose" and that by the time she was 14 the girl was relying on alcohol to cope.She said the assaults continued "when the opportunity arose" and that by the time she was 14 the girl was relying on alcohol to cope.
The jury was shown a school report which said the alleged victim had become "prone to tears and has been weeping about private/home matters".The jury was shown a school report which said the alleged victim had become "prone to tears and has been weeping about private/home matters".
Ms Wass added: "The prosecution does not, for a minute, suggest that there is not a good, talented and kind side to Mr Harris.Ms Wass added: "The prosecution does not, for a minute, suggest that there is not a good, talented and kind side to Mr Harris.
'Fame and reputation'
"But concealed behind this charming and amicable children's entertainer lay a man who exploited the very children who were drawn to him.""But concealed behind this charming and amicable children's entertainer lay a man who exploited the very children who were drawn to him."
She added there was "a side of him which is sexually attracted to children and under-age girls" and that while working on television in Australia he was known as the "Octopus" because of the way he would put his hands on children. She added there was "a side of him which is sexually attracted to children and under-age girls".
Mr Harris's daughter, Bindi, and his wife, Alwen Hughes, were at his side as he arrived at court. His "fame and reputation" meant that "no-one suspected or challenged his behaviour", Ms Wass said.
Mr Harris arrived at court accompanied by his daughter Bindi, and his wife, Alwen Hughes.
He entered a not guilty plea at a hearing in January.He entered a not guilty plea at a hearing in January.
The Australian found fame in 1953 on BBC children's TV, a year after arriving in the UK, and has remained a well-known entertainer, musician and artist since then.The Australian found fame in 1953 on BBC children's TV, a year after arriving in the UK, and has remained a well-known entertainer, musician and artist since then.
He had success with novelty pop hits and children's TV and variety shows as well as series about animals and art, and he painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005.He had success with novelty pop hits and children's TV and variety shows as well as series about animals and art, and he painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005.