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Rolf Harris begins appeal against two child sex abuse convictions

Rolf Harris has started the appeal process against two of his child sex abuse convictions, with the appeal due to be heard next month.

The disgraced star’s lawyers are going to the High Court as they attempt to rid two of the dozen offences that Harris was charged with.

The star is maintaining his innocence. Copyright: [PA]
The star is maintaining his innocence. Copyright: [PA]

The TV personality hired private investigators to track down key witnesses, with it being reported that two police officers who were not present when he was originally convicted have been located.

Harris was released from prison five months ago after serving half of his five year and nine months sentence, and it has been said that he hopes winning this appeal will be the first step in completely clearing his name.

The two-day appeal will start on November 7 and the star does not have to appear in person, with it believed that the two victims are one woman who claims Harris molested her when she was aged seven or eight and tried to get his autograph at a community centre, and another who he was accused of “fondling” when she came to Britain on a school trip from his native Australia in 1986, aged 15.

Rolf Harris served half of his five-year, nine-month sentence. Copyright: [PA]
Rolf Harris served half of his five-year, nine-month sentence. Copyright: [PA]

A source told The Mirror: “This is the beginning of Rolf’s campaign appeal. He is challenging two convictions first and wants to carry on with the others later.”

The 87-year-old star is being supported by his wife, Alwen, and daughter, Bindi.

His chief private investigator, William Merritt, has spent more than two years looking over Harris’ convictions, studying the accusations and finding alleged “compelling evidence” that stands a chance of clearing his name.

Rolf is being supported by his wife. Copyright: [Rex]
Rolf is being supported by his wife. Copyright: [Rex]

Merritt already cleared Harris of multiple other sex offences earlier this year, and previously said that he can “prove” that Harris is completely innocent.

Speaking of Operation Yewtree, which was set up to investigate historic sexual abuse by celebrities following the Jimmy Savile scandal, Merritt added: “People were swept along. The standard of the evidence was very low. Someone was pulling the strings upstairs and telling them they must get convictions.”

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