Judge jails Rolf Harris after he 'shows no remorse' for his crimes

Rolf Harris pictured arriving at Southwark Crown Court. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Rolf Harris has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for indecently assaulting four girls over a near 20-year period.

As he sentenced Harris, Judge Mr Justice Sweeney told the veteran entertainer, "You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all."

"Your reputation lies in ruins. You have been stripped of your honours. But you have nobody to blame but yourself," he added.

ITV News Correspondent Juliet Bremner reports:

The Attorney General's Office confirmed that the sentence has already been referred on the grounds that it is "unduly lenient".

Harris was jailed for a total of 12 indecent assaults - one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens and a catalogue of sordid abuse of his daughter's friend over 16 years

The woman, who was once best friends with his daughter Bindi, said: "The attacks that happened have made me feel dirty, grubby and disgusting. The whole sordid saga has traumatised me."

Court sketch of Rolf Harris in the dock earlier today. Credit: ITV News/Priscilla Coleman

Another victim told ITV News about the “nasty man who took advantage of his position” as a children’s entertainer and how seeing him for the first time in 25 years in court left her feeling physically sick.

Harris's youngest victim, who was indecently assaulted as she went to get his autograph when she was eight, said the moment was her first taste of independence, but in those few moments her "childhood innocence was gone."

arris will serve half of the five years and nine month jail term imposed on him for indecently assaulting four girls.

Mr Justice Sweeney told the 84-year-old: "Unless released earlier, you will serve half that sentence when you will be released on licence for the remainder of your sentence."

The entertainer was warned that he could be recalled to prison if he broke the terms of the licence upon his release.