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Victims lawyer: Rolf Harris 'woodworm' prison song 'must affect parole' | Victims lawyer: Rolf Harris 'woodworm' prison song 'must affect parole' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Rolf Harris should be denied parole after he reportedly called his victims "slimy little woodworm" in a song he has penned in jail, their lawyer says. | Rolf Harris should be denied parole after he reportedly called his victims "slimy little woodworm" in a song he has penned in jail, their lawyer says. |
Victims' lawyer Liz Dux said the lyrics - contained in a letter obtained by the Mail on Sunday - showed he had "no comprehension" of his crimes. | Victims' lawyer Liz Dux said the lyrics - contained in a letter obtained by the Mail on Sunday - showed he had "no comprehension" of his crimes. |
The "revolting" song had left one victim "totally distraught", she said. | The "revolting" song had left one victim "totally distraught", she said. |
Harris was jailed last year for 12 indecent assaults against four girls, one aged just seven or eight. | Harris was jailed last year for 12 indecent assaults against four girls, one aged just seven or eight. |
He was sentenced to five years and nine months for the crimes, which took place between 1968 and 1986, and is understood to be serving his sentence at Stafford prison. | He was sentenced to five years and nine months for the crimes, which took place between 1968 and 1986, and is understood to be serving his sentence at Stafford prison. |
In the letter to a friend, who revealed its contents to the newspaper, he said he planned to record the song once he is released, which he writes "will be towards the end of 2017". | In the letter to a friend, who revealed its contents to the newspaper, he said he planned to record the song once he is released, which he writes "will be towards the end of 2017". |
Ms Dux said if the letter proved real, his victims would be "furious and revolted" by Harris's "absolute arrogance". | Ms Dux said if the letter proved real, his victims would be "furious and revolted" by Harris's "absolute arrogance". |
It showed he was "not in any way suffering any punishment for the great sins he committed", something the parole board should take into account, she said. | It showed he was "not in any way suffering any punishment for the great sins he committed", something the parole board should take into account, she said. |
"I think he's got no comprehension of how far he's fallen and the devastating effect he's had. | |
"It should certainly affect the way he's treated when he applies for early release - he hasn't understood severity of his crimes." | "It should certainly affect the way he's treated when he applies for early release - he hasn't understood severity of his crimes." |
The letter, which the Mail says it got from someone close to Harris who was "appalled" by it, calls his victims "foul accusers" who wanted his money. | The letter, which the Mail says it got from someone close to Harris who was "appalled" by it, calls his victims "foul accusers" who wanted his money. |
The BBC has not independently seen or verified the authenticity of the letter. | The BBC has not independently seen or verified the authenticity of the letter. |
'Wench' lyric | 'Wench' lyric |
According to the Mail, the contents of Harris's song include: | According to the Mail, the contents of Harris's song include: |
In his letter, Harris said his "inner rage" came to the fore after eight months in prison. | In his letter, Harris said his "inner rage" came to the fore after eight months in prison. |
"I've started writing a song about the injustice of it all," he wrote, adding that it should have a "country rock sound". | "I've started writing a song about the injustice of it all," he wrote, adding that it should have a "country rock sound". |
"I plan to record this the moment I get out towards the end of 2017." | "I plan to record this the moment I get out towards the end of 2017." |
'No hardship' | 'No hardship' |
He added: "Prison is no hardship really. | He added: "Prison is no hardship really. |
"I'm in the art room as an assistant to the tutor and basically I'm doing what I like." | "I'm in the art room as an assistant to the tutor and basically I'm doing what I like." |
In court last July, Mr Justice Sweeney said Harris "clearly got a thrill" from committing some of his crimes while "others were present or nearby". | In court last July, Mr Justice Sweeney said Harris "clearly got a thrill" from committing some of his crimes while "others were present or nearby". |
He said Harris touched the youngest victim intimately when she approached him for an autograph in Portsmouth, while another was "groped" at an event in Cambridge. | He said Harris touched the youngest victim intimately when she approached him for an autograph in Portsmouth, while another was "groped" at an event in Cambridge. |
As well as the girl who was aged seven or eight, Harris's victims were two young teenagers and a childhood friend of his daughter Bindi. | As well as the girl who was aged seven or eight, Harris's victims were two young teenagers and a childhood friend of his daughter Bindi. |
He abused his daughter's friend between the ages of 13 and 19. | He abused his daughter's friend between the ages of 13 and 19. |
Passing sentence, the judge said Harris had "no-one to blame" but himself. | Passing sentence, the judge said Harris had "no-one to blame" but himself. |