HARRIS WILL FIGHT NEW SEX CLAIMS
DISGRACED paedophile Rolf Harris will “fight with every inch” fresh claims he molested an Australian girl in the 80s.
The entertainer, who was jailed for three years in Britain for assaulting four teenage girls between 1968 and 1986, is accused of a sex attack on a 10year-old ward of the state at a camp in Melbourne where Harris was to perform for two nights.
Harris, 93, who can barely speak and is fed through a tube, was stunned at the allegations when News Corp confronted him at his home in Berkshire, England. His lawyer Daniel Berke followed up with a statement on his behalf.
“It is noted that the complainant did not come forward when other allegations were tested in Court, at a time when our client was in better health,” the statement read.
“Rather she has waited until our client is 93 years of age and has made this allegation following news reports of his poor and rapidly declining health, in the knowledge that he is unable to properly defend himself.
“Mr Harris maintains that the allegation is mendacious.
“Any claim will be robustly defended and Mr Harris will seek full costs against any person bringing a false claim.”
In legal documents, filed by no-fee firm Maurice Blackburn, the accuser “Jill”, now 51, alleges Harris sat down next to her after performing at the out-of-school camp at Camp Manyung in Mount Eliza.
Jill alleges he offered to help remove wax she had spilt on her dress. Harris “started off helpful” and was humming or singing before it is alleged he used a “hug-lift” to pull her onto him.
She then claims he sexually assaulted her.
“I remember feeling petrified, terrified and panicked,” she said.
Private investigator William Merritt who authored a book The Truth Behind the Trials about the assault trials, said the entertainer had had enough.
“He can hardly talk and even though he’s ill he says he will fight with every inch,” he said.