When was Rolf Harris in prison?
ROLF Harris’ fall from fame to infamy came after he was jailed for a series of sexual assaults on young girls that spanned decades.
The disgraced entertainer, who became one of the UK’s biggest TV stars, stayed mainly out of the public eye between his release from prison and his death on May 10, 2023.
Who is Rolf Harris and what were his crimes?
Rolf Harris was born in Australia to Welsh immigrant parents.
He was an accomplished artist and singer, finding fame in the 1960s with the release of his hit song Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport.
He moved to Berkshire and became a popular UK TV entertainer.
He was even commissioned by the BBC to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.
Harris had a string of hits with songs such as Jake the Peg, Two Little Boys, and Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport.
He also appeared several times at Glastonbury Festival.
During his career, he was awarded many honours, including an MBE, OBE and CBE, a Bafta fellowship and honorary university doctorates, all of which were revoked after his conviction.
His fame turned to infamy in 2013 when he was arrested twice in connection with counts of indecent assault dating back to the 1980s.
He was also charged with four counts of producing indecent child images.
In June 2014, Harris was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault.
The crimes were committed against four girls – one of whom was aged just seven or eight.
His trial heard that one of the victims was a childhood friend of his daughter and another a young autograph hunter.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said he had taken advantage of his celebrity status and shown “no remorse”.
When being sentenced, the Judge told him: “Your reputation now lies in ruins, but you have no one to blame but yourself.”
When was Rolf Harris in prison?
On July 4, 2014, Harris was sentenced to five years and nine months imprisonment.
He served only three years in prison and was released on May 19, 2017
He was released while a re-trial was happening on four accusations of indecent assault.
He served his time at HM Prison Stafford.
He was rarely seen in public after his release from prison up until his death on May 10, 2023.
In November 2017, Harris appeared at the Court of Appeal in London to try and overturn his 2014 convictions, claiming jurors in the case were “poisoned” against him.
He had one conviction overturned following his appeal, but the other 11 remained intact.
The former TV star reportedly hired a private investigator, who was said to be gathering “dirt” to discredit his victims.
However, it was reported that he had decided to abandon the bid to clear his name in 2019.
When did Rolf Harris die?
Since October 2022, Harris was said to be “gravely ill” and receiving round-the-clock care for his neck cancer.
It was reported that he was no longer able to eat or talk due to his condition and was fed via tubes during the final months of his life.
His neighbour explained: “Only carers and nurses, who care for him 24 hours, come and go.”
It was reported on May 23, 2023, that Rolf Harris died at his home in Berkshire.
His death certificate revealed he died on May 10, 2023.
A statement released by his family said Harris “died peacefully surrounded by family and friends and has now been laid to rest.”
Before his death, Harris asked his daughter Bindi to do one thing for him after he passed.
It’s reported that he asked his daughter to look after her mother, he said: “I always believed we would go on longer together but, if I go first, promise you’ll take good care of your mum.”