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News

Rolf Harris NOT charged

34 replies

dotnet · 16/05/2013 19:43

Rolf Harris has not been charged with any offence. I suppose I should still say 'yet' - BUT it was on R4 this morning that no grounds for charging him have been found so far.
Hooray! I just can't believe he's a slimeball, I feel so sure he's NOT.
The other thing the R4 news item talked about, was the doubtful ethics of naming someone in connection with a crime when no charge has been laid.

OP posts:

Report

BinarySolo · 26/05/2013 10:33

I feel sad if it's true about Rolf. I don't think mud does necessarily stick tho. Mathew Kelly was accused and found innocent and has had a very successful acting career since.

Mumfun · 22/05/2013 22:31

Ive sadly seen the Australian report too and after that I felt he might well be charged. But I am really really shocked too.

hiddenhome · 19/05/2013 16:47

My foster brother was never charged even though he raped and assaulted me

Not charged can just mean lack of evidence, which given the time frame, is just about unavoidable.

dotnet · 18/05/2013 18:06

edam I just think it should be a case of 'do as you would be done by'. Just think seriously for a moment - how would you feel if it was put in your local paper (with photograph) that local woman, Edam Cheese had been collared by the police for fiddling with children? Would you really think, 'Oh well, it's fair enough - it'll come out soon enough that I can't be charged with anything, being as I haven't done anything.'
I bet you wouldn't. I bet you'd be mortified and desperate for each crumb of comfort your friends could offer as they tried to support you through such a shameful, upsetting, humiliating mess.

OP posts:

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 17/05/2013 12:42

They are "Talkers" I think - was testing hoops and crosses.

boxershorts · 17/05/2013 12:36

Yes, I think the police are trying to destroy a culture whereby some celebs thought they cud get away with anything. I agree it is very trick,Stealth Criap tester.
I prefer the ones which rhyme with TALKERS

MoleyMick · 17/05/2013 12:20

I'm in Australia, and a woman here was interviewed on TV earlier this week about being molested by Rolf. I too was really saddened when his name was mentioned as part of Operation Yewtree but.. I really did believe that woman.

everlong · 17/05/2013 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 17/05/2013 12:14

in fairness being an absolute shit is not on a par with what he was arrested for

Bluegrass · 17/05/2013 12:11

It's weird, I know someone who worked closely with him over a period of time (travelling the country) and they told me that behind closed doors he was an absolute shit but could always turn it on when out in public. I always thought he was great, have never known this friend not to get on with someone and I trust their opinion absolutely. It left me feeling very conflicted about him.

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 17/05/2013 12:08

"Panzee Fri 17-May-13 07:46:09

The police said that many more victims came forward when Stuart Hall's arrest was announced. In that case he may well have got away with it if his identity was secret. It's tricky."

Very good point. I complketely agree with Edam. And (complete pure speculation follows) he has not been charged yet that may relate to the fact he has been named publically and yet no more evidence has come out about him. So it may have worked in his favour iyswim.

Mama1980 · 17/05/2013 11:58

Like others his was the only name that upset me when it was mentioned, I hope he is innocent at it appears at the moment.
My ex met him once said he was lovely, friendly and genuine, was happy to sign a million autographs for the crew....

Jux · 17/05/2013 11:54

I'm very relieved. The idea that he might be a slimey git was horrible. Even dh was upset by it.

I know that mud sticks, but am not entirely sure that it will this time. I haven't met anyone who was not thoroughly disbelieving about RH. A lot will be to do with the impression that Joe Bloggs has of whoever it is, and that is usually often then fanned by the papers.

Rather than not name people being investigated, I think it would be more useful to curb the frothing by the papers which goes on, and encourages people to take it as truth before charges have even been brought. If the journalists we have were sensible and responsible about reporting it would make a great deal of difference.

I do think it is vital that our system is seen to be open.

LadyBeagleEyes · 17/05/2013 11:45

I'm really pleased about this too.
I always liked him, and was another that was that he was arrested.
I still think naming does some good though, as it gives other victims the courage to come forward, Stuart Hall being an example of this.
If only this had happened before Jimmy Savile died.

JakeBullet · 17/05/2013 09:14

My exDH worked with RH a few years ago and said he was a really nice man. Totally genuine and lovely...what you see on TV is what you meet in RL.

RooneyMara · 17/05/2013 09:09

the thing I worry about is that there is a massive failing to charge/prosecute in general in terms of sexual assault or rape or whatever, and that means that even if someone does 'get off' as it were, without being charged, you just don't know if that's due to the general failing or because they actually didn't do owt.

Which makes it all the more important that genuine crimes are prosecuted successfully.

Panzee · 17/05/2013 07:46

The police said that many more victims came forward when Stuart Hall's arrest was announced. In that case he may well have got away with it if his identity was secret. It's tricky.

lljkk · 17/05/2013 07:42

I don't think problem is being named without charges; I think problem is a culture that likes to leap to Guilty until Proven Innocent.

RooneyMara · 17/05/2013 07:21

Celebrating if this is so. I realise that often people get tarnished by this sort of thing and never do recover, in the public view, but Rolf - well so many people were amazed that he might have anything to do with it.

I don't feel that sense that 'there was something dodgy about him but he got off' like I did/do about certain other people.

Like, that doesn't make me right or anything. Just the way I feel about it.

Bonzer news

Lazyjaney · 17/05/2013 07:08

But current moves to suppress the names of people who have been arrested are both wrong and dangerous. Justice must be open and transparent

This isn't justice though, it's trial and mudslinging by mob. Make itbpublic when they are charged.

nancy75 · 16/05/2013 23:22

who said sex crimes should be treated differently to other crimes?

What ridiculous law?

Sparhawk · 16/05/2013 23:03

Why should sex crimes be treated any different to any other crime? Oh, because they have 'stigma' attached to them, as if that's a bad thing, but crimes like child abuse have much more stigma against them. So why no anonymity for child abusers? What about terrorists? Serial killers? Why just sex crimes?

Oh, that's right, because it's another way of perpetuating the myth that, unlike any other crime, a large percentage of rape accusation are false and malicious. When in actuality they are no higher than any other crime. Yay, rape culture!

Meanwhile, there are around 500,000 sexual assaults a year and around 70,000 rapes, of which only 3,000 are reported and 1,000 result in convictions. But, yes, let's focus on helping fucking rapists - which is exactly who this ridiculous law will help.

edam · 16/05/2013 22:43

Not necessarily Nancy, sometimes charges are dropped. And sometimes people are wrongly convicted. Justice is imperfect, but we should do our level best to avoid mistakes - and one of the safeguards against injustice and tyranny is openness.

nancy75 · 16/05/2013 22:12

I can't agree with Edam. I don't believe anyone should be named until charged. Once charged the person has their chance to have their say and give their side in an open court, when a person is arrested but not charged they have no such oportunity and are followed by the gossip and what Ifs forever.

ExitPursuedByABear · 16/05/2013 21:52

Well said edam

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