The disgraced entertainer, 84, was told a judge had knocked back his application for permission to challenge the convictions
Rolf Harris today lost the first round of his bid to appeal against his convictions for a string of indecent assaults.
The disgraced entertainer, 84, was told a judge had knocked back his application for permission to challenge the convictions.
The Judicial Office confirmed the refusal today. Harris’ lawyers had pitched their case in August.
But the shamed artist, who once painted a portrait of the Queen, still has other options open to him.
He can renew the application in front of three judges at London’s Court of Appeal.
Harris was convicted of 12 indecent assaults at London’s Southwark Crown Court in June - one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens, and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter’s friend over 16 years.
It took a jury 37 hours and 45 minutes to unanimously convict the Australian star of all the charges.
The aging paedophile was sentenced to five years and nine months. He will be free in less than three years.
Judge Mr Justice Sweeney told him: “You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all. Your reputation now lies in ruins, you have been stripped of your honours but you have no one to blame but yourself.
“You got a thrill from committing the offences while others were present or nearby. While others didn’t realise what you were doing, their presence added to the ordeal of your victims.”
The sentence was looked at by the Government’s top lawyer after 150 complaints it was “unduly lenient” but Attorney General Jeremy Wright decided not to refer it to the Court of Appeal.
Harris, of Bray, Berks, has reportedly been caught up in jailhouse brawls and moved to a softer prison since losing his freedom.
He could face 10 new child abuse charges after fresh allegations came to light following his conviction, it emerged last month.
