Rolf Harris, once a beloved Australian entertainer, was convicted of multiple indecent assaults against underage girls and sentenced to five years and nine months in prison in 2014. He served nearly three years before being released on license in 2017. Harris died in May 2023 at the age of 93 from neck cancer and frailty of old age. His wife, Alwen Hughes, died in summer 2024 at age 92 following a stroke.
Conviction and Sentencing
In 2013, Harris was charged with 12 counts of indecent assault against underage girls, which he denied. He was convicted of offences that took place between 1968 and 1986. The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, noted Harris showed "no remorse" when sentencing him to five years and nine months in prison.
Prison Release
Harris was released from Stafford Prison on license in 2017 after serving almost three years. At the time, he faced four further charges of indecent assault but was not convicted and received no additional jail time. After release, he lived in Bray, Berkshire, with his wife. He was 84 when first imprisoned and into his late 80s upon release.
Death and Aftermath
Harris died at his home in Bray in May 2023. His death certificate listed neck cancer and "frailty of old age" as causes. A family statement said he "died peacefully surrounded by family and friends" and asked for privacy. His wife Alwen Hughes, a sculptor, died in summer 2024 aged 92 after a stroke. Prime Video's documentary Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator examines his decades of abuse and eventual downfall.
