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Rolf Harris lawyers say he is being punished for past infidelity Rolf Harris lawyers say he is being punished for past infidelity
(about 1 hour later)
Rolf Harris has been punished for past infidelity with "public humiliation" in a prosecution that fails to meet the standard of criminal proof, a jury has heard.Rolf Harris has been punished for past infidelity with "public humiliation" in a prosecution that fails to meet the standard of criminal proof, a jury has heard.
Defence barrister Simon Ray, who stepped in to give the closing speech because Harris's QC Sonia Woodley is ill, told jurors: "Making allegations loudly and forcefully does not make them true.Defence barrister Simon Ray, who stepped in to give the closing speech because Harris's QC Sonia Woodley is ill, told jurors: "Making allegations loudly and forcefully does not make them true.
"You may think that a prosecutor who was more confident of the evidence would not have had to resort to name-calling of the defendant."You may think that a prosecutor who was more confident of the evidence would not have had to resort to name-calling of the defendant.
"The reality is that when you take a cold hard look at the prosecution case, there are problems that cannot be pushed aside.""The reality is that when you take a cold hard look at the prosecution case, there are problems that cannot be pushed aside."
He said those problems created "unavoidable doubt" over the truth of the claims.He said those problems created "unavoidable doubt" over the truth of the claims.
"The prosecution has to prove it and they have to prove it so that you are sure, and that's a high standard. A standard that when you analyse the evidence, which is all that any of us can do, the prosecution has not met.""The prosecution has to prove it and they have to prove it so that you are sure, and that's a high standard. A standard that when you analyse the evidence, which is all that any of us can do, the prosecution has not met."
Harris, standing trial at London's Southwark crown court, is accused of 12 counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1986, all of which he denies. Ray said the time lapse since the claims is "a serious disadvantage" for the entertainer. Harris, standing trial at Southwark crown court, London, is accused of 12 counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1986, all of which he denies. Ray said: "The passage of time, which is a gap of up to 45 years … is a serious disadvantage to the defendant, and that would be true whether he was rich or poor, famous or unknown."
"The passage of time, which is a gap of up to 45 years, ... is a serious disadvantage to the defendant, and that would be true whether he was rich or poor, famous or unknown."
Ray told the jury of six men and six women that Harris faced an impossible situation trying to remember details from so long ago.Ray told the jury of six men and six women that Harris faced an impossible situation trying to remember details from so long ago.
"Mr Harris can't really win. If he fails to remember things, any incorrect assertions by him are damned as deliberate lies. If he does remember details and tries to say so, again that's dismissed.""Mr Harris can't really win. If he fails to remember things, any incorrect assertions by him are damned as deliberate lies. If he does remember details and tries to say so, again that's dismissed."
During the trial, the court has heard details of two extra-marital affairs Harris was involved in, including one with an alleged victim. During the trial, the court has heard details of two extramarital affairs Harris was involved in, including one with an alleged victim.
Ray said: "He has been punished for his infidelity by, effectively, public humiliation."Ray said: "He has been punished for his infidelity by, effectively, public humiliation."
Jurors have been told by prosecutor Sasha Wass QC that Harris had "a dark side" to his personality.Jurors have been told by prosecutor Sasha Wass QC that Harris had "a dark side" to his personality.
Ray said: "Everyone has a private life, everyone has a side to their personality that they only reveal to those that know them intimately, and, to be honest, maybe not anyone."Ray said: "Everyone has a private life, everyone has a side to their personality that they only reveal to those that know them intimately, and, to be honest, maybe not anyone."