A JURY’S decision to find Rolf Harris guilty on 12 counts of indecent assault was probably not a surprise given the extent of the evidence offered against him during his London trial.
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But that doesn’t mean that many Australians and his fans around the world won’t be shocked at the likelihood the entertainer will be sentenced to a jail term at the end of the week.
The adoration of Harris as an international celebrity means his is a very long fall from grace — awards and honours will be withdrawn and the City of Perth is set to tear up a CBD pavement plaque paying tribute to his West Australian origins.
Here on the Border, there are many with memories of what was then a great honour to have the opportunity to perform alongside Harris during his visits to the region.
Many will have admired Harris as an entertainer and as a human being, memories that are completely at odds with the man now proven to have preyed on young girls and women.
Those victims will bear the scars of that betrayal for the rest of their lives, just as the truth about Harris and any further claims against him will have ripped apart the public persona and destroyed any adoration he might have enjoyed in his twilight years.
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