Musician Roy Harper on historic sex charges

[JI7]

Veteran folk and rock performer Roy Harper is facing charges in relation to a series of historic sex offences against an under-age girl.

The 72-year-old, of Rossmore, Clonakilty, County Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, is facing nine sexual offences charges in total.

A force spokesman said: “The summons relates to two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and four counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14.

“The charges are in connection with offences alleged to have taken place in Herefordshire between 1975 and 1977 and relate to one victim.”

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/musician-roy-harper-on-historic-sex-charges-1-6248383

[Major Nikon]

1. It's a shame Ted Nugent hasn't been charged yet

[Lasher]

2. Why now after 35 years?

Seems strange.

[Major Nikon]

3. Just look how long it took many of the Catholic Church child rapists to come to justice

Many never did and never will. It doesn't seem all that strange at all.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Because Jimmy Saville died, and the truth about him came out

He kept all the accusations hidden by having a reputation as a huge fundraiser for charity with a 'good' public profile, and friendships with powerful people, especially the police. He threatened to sue anyone who went public, and because he had such a 'good' reputation, and had all these police, BBC executives and NHS and charity officials who would stand up for him, no-one thought they could win in the British legal system (which makes defence against accusations of libel difficult).

But after he died, journalists looked again for his victims, and showed just how extensive his abuse had been. And from that, other people in the entertainment industry have been re-examined (by police who weren't mates with them, this time). Though this doesn't come directly from that investigation (called 'Operation Yewtree'), people are now willing to believe someone who comes forward and says "I was abused by this well-known man when I was a teenager, but no-one would believe me then".

Other entertainers who have been charged:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Roache actor for over 50 years in the longest-running serial on British TV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Lee_Travis BBC DJ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Hall_%28presenter%29 Sports and light entertainment TV presenter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf_harris singer, painter, light entertainment presenter