A jury has been selected for the sex-attack trial of former television entertainer Rolf Harris, who will follow proceedings remotely.
Harris is accused of indecently assaulting young girls over a period of more than 30 years and his trial, which started on Monday, is expected to last about six weeks.
Wearing a dark suit and tie, the entertainer replied “I am, yes”, when asked whether he was Rolf Harris by Judge Alistair McCreath, as he appeared by video-link.
Age and health
In December last year Judge McCreath ruled the entertainer would not have to attend his trial in person because of his age and health.
Judge McCreath told jurors at Southwark Crown Court: “Finally we are waking up to the reality that we live in a digital world.
“We can very happily try Mr Harris without him having to be here.
“He is not a young man and it naturally makes a lot of sense for him to attend his trial remotely.”
The Australian-born 86-year-old watched as a jury of five men and seven women were selected, with three reserves selected.
Jurors were directed to pause in front of the camera for a moment so Harris could see them before making their way to the jury box.
Judge McCreath said: “Anyone has the right to see the jurors who are to try him so he can let us know if he knows them.
“The only way he can do that is if you stand in front of the camera so he can see.”
Warning against research
Jurors were also warned against undertaking their own research, which could create a “dysfunctional, corrupt trial”, Judge McCreath said.
Split into sections, the screen will show parts of the Southwark courtroom and the room where Harris will follow proceedings.
Witnesses will be hidden from Harris’s view by screens, the court heard.
Harris has previously pleaded not guilty to seven counts of indecent assault and one alternative charge of sexual assault.
He is accused of attacking seven women and girls, one of whom was aged under 13, between 1971 and 2004. Some of the offences were allegedly committed at the BBC Television Centre in west London.
Jurors were told the trial is likely to conclude around mid-February.
The Crown is expected to open its case on Wednesday.
Press Association