Rolf Harris has been charged

[TensionWheelsCoolHeels]

Can't link as on phone but just got a news flash saying he's been charged with 9 counts of indecent assault, and 4 to do with indecent images.

[Rooners]

Feenie, if his defence team is taking ideas from MN punters then they are shit. I am happy to be deleted though if it makes a difference.

[Feenie]

It's just an example of why you can't discuss the case until he is tried. If he is guilty, I don't want anything to prevent a prosecution - it's not unprecedented for a mistrial to be called because of trial by media, for example. It's only a matter of time before someone gets off scot free because of trial by social media/discussion boards.

As a poster said yesterday, god help some Mners if they are ever called for jury service.

[Rooners]

I think a blanket ban on discussion would be necessary if that were the case. We can discuss it. It just matters what we say.

I am trying not to overstep the mark (not being legally trained I don't know exactly where it is) but if I manage to then deletion is fine by me.

Otherwise if the thread is deleted and we're asked not to discuss it I will respect that.

[Feenie]

Threads about RH have already been deleted.

MN have 'Please be very careful not to say anything that could prejudice a fair trial'.

You have to be pretty thick to take that as an acceptance that it's okay to speculate on motives/guilt, etc, which people are still doing.

MN think it's better to allow MNers to use common sense, I think, and delete the idiots - but it inevitable goes tits up in these instances and they have to pull the thread. It's very tedious and depressing to watch.

[MurderOfGoths]

AKiss Most of the comments about being surprised are because people have grown up liking Rolf, bit hard to hear that someone that you adored when you were a child is most likely a child abuser. If you've grown up looking at him as some archetypal cuddly grandfather type it's going to throw you a bit.

It's not stupid to wish it was obvious and avoidable. It's also not stupid to be surprised that someone seen as so kid friendly turns out to be more than friendly.

Maybe I've missed it, but I haven't seen any comments saying it can't be true because of how he looks. Just sadness that a man people have loved and who seemed lovely is possibly capable of something so horrific. At most I've seen people say they wish it wasn't true. Which isn't such a bad thing to wish for.

[Rooners]

But Feenie you always come along and call us all thick on threads like this.

No one actually tells people what is Ok and what is not.

I think most people aren't legally minded or trained. This is a discussion forum - it's quite hard to switch into careful legal mode though I do think a lot of us are making an effort.

[ithaka]

I am another who is upset & shocked by Rolf. Stuart Hall & Savile were creepy, but Rolf always seemed so lovely. You are allowed to be upset when a childhood idol lets you down spectacularly.

With Hall & Savile it appears to have been a lifelong obsession with young girls. In Rolf's case, I wonder if it was a mid life crisis period, which passed, or part of a life long pattern of abusing. I suppose it will all come out in court.

My thoughts are with the victims, if it turns out to be proven.

[SinisterSal]

The fact that we are all shocked is exactly the point.

We still think you can spot an abuser. You can't. Not that RH is of course, as we don't know yet. But many kindly much loved grandfathers are.

The scale of credibility:

Respectable men
Respectable Women and children
Creepy men
Chavvy women and children
Chavvy creepy scumbags

imo, only

[Feenie]

Just think before you post - it's not that difficult. Don't speculate about motives, or guilt - not until the trial is safely over. Then you won't have prejudiced anything. Simple.

[Rooners]

I think they have only deleted about two messages so far. I think that's fairly good going.

(none of mine btw)

[Feenie]

You should have seen yesterday's thread! It was carnage.

[Feenie]

There are seven here, Rooners (so far). But still better, I guess.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

With Hall & Savile it appears to have been a lifelong obsession with young girls. In Rolf's case, I wonder if it was a mid life crisis period, which passed, or part of a life long pattern of abusing. I suppose it will all come out in court

My thoughts are with the victims, if it turns out to be proven

Can I ask if you only feel sorry for victims if the crime is able to be proven beyond reasonable doubt and a conviction secured then ithaka?

Genuinely wondering this.

Are you aware of the incredibly low rate of rape convictions in this country? Do you think that not many rapes actually are rapes then? Given these super low rates of guilty verdicts?

I tend to view this as it being extraordinarily difficult to obtain the physical evidence necessary to secure a conviction. But, ya know. That's just me.

Fwiw I have met several people who have gone through what might be described as a mid life crisis. Typically this has involved dressing younger, buying a motorbike and living vicariously through dc's as they approach adulthood.

AKAIK none of my acquaintances has ever taken up child molesting as part of their transition from young - to mid life

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

I wish everyone had seen yesterdays thread Feenie.

I felt like a lone voice of reason amongst MN rape apologists ffs.

I know who they were though

[AmberLeaf]

In Rolf's case, I wonder if it was a mid life crisis period, which passed, or part of a life long pattern of abusing. I suppose it will all come out in court

Do you really think a man would sexually assault [allegedly] as part of a mid life crisis?

Most men buy a harley.

[SPBisResisting]

". I do find this all a bit of a witch hunt. I feel desperately sorry for his wife. I hope these charges come to nothing but whether they do or not it's a man's life and legacy ruined."

Murderofgoths heres one which seems to be assuming his innocence

[MurderOfGoths]

Ah ok, missed that one. The majority weren't like that thankfully.

[Rooners]

Oh Ok seven.

Sorry. I didn't check back.

I went out yesterday so didn't see it descend.

[burberryqueen]

In Rolf's case, I wonder if it was a mid life crisis period, which passed, or part of a life long pattern of abusing. I suppose it will all come out in court
oh please men with a mid life crisis go on a diet or grow a beard or something.

[InsultingBadger]

Bloody hell. I am so gutted at this one as I really thought he wouldn't be. My happy childhood tv memories are slowly being wiped out...

[georgedawes]

Mid life crisis

People abuse others because they get off on the power of it, it isn't even about sex per se. That is one of the most uneducated and offensive comments I've read on here.

[nocarsgo]

I'm shocked by the number of people lining up to make excuses - maybe a mid life crisis, maybe dementia, maybe "erotic drawings"?

Let's just wait and see what happens on court, eh? I loved Rolf when I was a child too, but that doesn't mean he hasn't (allegedly) done dreadful things.

[SPBisResisting]

Coildnt agree more noscar

[ithaka]

I am sorry to have offended people with my 'mid life crisis' comment. It was just a musing that maybe he hadn't been an offender all his life, like Savile & Hall, but had a period when he went for young girls (instead of getting a Harley and/or having an affair).

I can see that I am just looking for excuses for him, I just hope he didn't do it, for everyone's sake.

I do appreciate that you cannot tell what someone is capable of based on their outside appearance (I have more reason than most to know this).

None of us really know the facts in the case yet, so we will have to see what comes out in court.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

georgedawes you are spot on. Strangely, that's why, although I hadn't heard anything 'Pervy' (although he was a bit of a player) about Stuart Hall I, and many others were completely unsurprised by the revelations as he is one of the most arrogant people around. Disgusting creature, repulsive family.