Updated 23.18

ROLF HARRIS HAS been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four counts of making indecent images of a child.

The Crown Prosecution Service today authorised police to charge Harris with 13 offences that include:

• Six offences of indecent assault relating to a girl aged between 15 and 16 from 1980 to 1981.
• Three offences of indecent assault relating to a girl aged 14 in 1986.
• Four offences of making indecent images of a child between March and July 2012.

“Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with nine counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child,” said Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London.

“The alleged indecent assaults date from 1980 to 1986 and relate to two complainants aged 14 and 15 at the time of the alleged offending,” Saunders added.

The 83-year-old entertainer was first arrested over allegations of sexual offences by Met Police as part of Operation Yewtree on November 29, 2012.

Ms Saunders added: “The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the DPP’s interim guidelines on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.

Harris will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 23.

The singer is one of a number of celebrities to have been arrested as part of Operation Yewtree. The probe was set up following claims made against the late former BBC presenter Jimmy Savile.

Originally published 12.08pm

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