Rolf Harris' Daughter, Bindi, Smashed Up His Art After Hearing Of Sex Claims, Court Hears

Rolf Harris' Daughter 'Smashed Up His Art' After Hearing Of Sex Claims
|

Rolf Harris' daughter was left "beside herself" when she found out her father was being accused of sexually abusing her friend, a court has heard.

Southwark Crown Court heard that the entertainer's daughter Bindi accused Harris of sexually molesting her friend and was so furious she had "smashed up" some paintings he had given to her.

Open Image Modal

Veteran star Harris today told the court that his daughter had accused him over the phone of molesting her friend, after the friend had made the allegations about the veteran star.

Harris denies 12 counts of indecent assault between 1968 and 1986, seven of which relate to the friend of his daughter.

She claims he first assaulted her when she was 13 while on holiday, but he has told the court they had a consensual sexual relationship that did not start until she was 18.

Open Image Modal

On the entertainer's third day in the witness box, prosecutor Sasha Wass QC asked him about his daughter's furious reaction when she heard about the allegations.

The 84-year-old said: "I don't recall her being angry with me in person but I recall her breaking some paintings I had given her so I assumed she was very angry."

Ms Wass suggested that 1997 was a "bad year" for Harris, as the woman had demanded he go to her parents' house in Norfolk, accusing him of having molested her; her brother also made the allegations in a phone call to the artist; and the woman's father had written to him repeating the accusations.

Ms Wass said: "Bindi was beside herself?", to which Harris replied: "I suppose so, yes."

The prosecutor said: "(The alleged victim) had told her and she accused you of sexually abusing (the alleged victim), didn't she?"

"Not person to person, not face to face," Harris said.

But when Ms Wass asked if his daughter had accused him over the phone, he said: "Yes".

"She accused you over the phone of sexually molesting (the alleged victim), didn't she?," Ms Wass said.

Harris replied: "Yes".

Harris has admitted that despite walking into court every day with Bindi and Alwen on his arms ,they go home separately.

Sasha Wass QC said: "You have been coming to court everyday, walking slowly into court with Bindi on one arm and your wife on the other", and asked if they travelled home together

Harris said "no."

The trial continues