Rolf Harris Appears In Court For Second Trial; Facing Seven Charges Of Indecent Assault

Disgraced Australian entertainer Rolf Harris has appeared in a London court via video link for a second trial, where he is facing seven new charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault.

As The Guardian reports, the 86-year-old children’s performer allegedly assaulted seven females aged from 12-42, including a disabled and blind woman, between 1971 and 2004.

Harris, who is already serving a five-year, nine-month sentence for 12 counts of indecent assault, is pleading not guilty to all of the new charges.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said the alleged offences "might be described as unwanted groping" and included "grabbing or touching breasts over clothing and slipping a hand up or into a skirt to touch the vaginal area".

Rees also added that "it is understood [Harris] continues to maintain his innocence" in relation to his previous charges.

Rees concluded the prosecution’s opening address by saying, "In essence, the prosecution allege that for his own gratification, Mr Harris deliberately touched the seven females identified in the indictment in a sexual way without their consent".

The trial will continue at the Southwark crown court.