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Rolf Harris Trial Verdict
Rolf Harris Guilty on all charges
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Lots of abusers are still very much alive and kicking and almost certainly still abusing. Google Elm Guest House for instance. Cyril Smith was never prosecuted because he knew where the bodies were buried. He didn't abuse boys in Rochdale on his own. Local journalists will tell you about the "dirty mac brigade" that used to turn up by train on a Saturday...
08:36 Wed 02nd Jul 2014
When someone is investigated over sexual abuse, and then charged with 12 counts of sexual assault, and the whole thing goes to trial, none of us should be terribly surprised when that person is found guilty. After all, the CPS don't normally drag completely innocent people of the street, kicking and screaming, and then charge them at random, famous cases of miscarriages of justice aside.
It is often said everyone is innocent until proved guilty but if they weren't strongly suspected of guilt in the first place, most of them wouldn't be on trial at all.
What people can't always understand is that when someone is investigated for months and sometimes for years, and the resultant court case goes on for months, but still that person is found not guilty. That for me is the more mystifying aspect of our law.
It is often said everyone is innocent until proved guilty but if they weren't strongly suspected of guilt in the first place, most of them wouldn't be on trial at all.
What people can't always understand is that when someone is investigated for months and sometimes for years, and the resultant court case goes on for months, but still that person is found not guilty. That for me is the more mystifying aspect of our law.
If it is as jno has said and he admitted having a relationship with his friends daughter, it must have been all over for him at that point. I wonder why his defence didn't suggest that he do a Stuart Hall and change his plea ?
If he did admit have the relationship in Court, why did the Jury take so long ?
If he did admit have the relationship in Court, why did the Jury take so long ?
I expect it took a long time convincing some of the jury who were still overcome with his charm, and wouldn't let themselves believe evil of him. It must be very difficult for antone who doesn't realise just how pernicious paedophilia is.
I recently read "Smile for the Camera" which is all about Cyril Smith's offences - a real eye-opener on how they get away with it.
I recently read "Smile for the Camera" which is all about Cyril Smith's offences - a real eye-opener on how they get away with it.
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