Rolf Harris ‘groped women and girls right under the noses’ of people

Rolf Harris had it in his nature to grope women and girls “right under the noses” of other people in public places, a court has heard.

The 86-year-old fed his “appetite” by indecently assaulting seven females, four aged no older than 16, while he was a popular TV entertainer, a jury was told.

He took opportunities to grope his victims in public, and was for some time good at not getting caught, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC said.

In his closing speech in the trial, which has lasted almost three weeks, he said: “It is 0 Rolf Harris has opted not to give evidence in his defence striking that so many of the allegations involve Mr Harris getting away with a sly, quick grope right under the noses of people who did not notice.”

He added: “We suggest that Mr Harris was very good at getting away with it.”

The Australian is serving a prison sentence for indecent assault against four females. Mr Rees said these convictions show Harris “has a propensity and appetite for indecently assaulting females including those under the age of 16”.

The defendant, who sat in the dock of Southwark Crown Court wearing a navy suit, light blue striped shirt and dark blue and red tie, has been listening while wearing a court hearing aid.

Harris, who had until late last week been following the trial via video-link from prison, opted not to give evidence in his defence.

The trial continues.