30/06/2014 BBC News at Six

The veteran entertainer and artist Rolf Harris is found

guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against women and children.

The 84 year old left court flanked by his family.

The judge told him to expect a jail sentence.

That bravery and determination has seen Rolf Harris brought to

justice and held to account. Rolf Harris entertained generations

of children for 60 years on British television.

We'll be hearing from Rolf Harris' victims who tell of the shame that

kept them silent for years. Also tonight.

The former editor of the News of the World Andy Coulson learns he

is to be tried all over again for alleged illegal payments to

a police officer. How every employee in Britain now

has the right to request flexible working hours from their boss.

And at Wimbledon, Andy Murray is through to the quarter finals.

On BBC London. Concerns over the possible Islamification of a primary

school where four governors have resigned. And proposals to build a

?600 million river crossing in east London are revealed.

Good evening. He has been a household name

for 60 years, a much loved entertainer, artist and musician.

Today Rolf Harris has been found guilty of 12 counts

of indecent assault. His youngest victim was

just seven or eight. Another was a close friend

of his daughter. He first molested her

when she was 13. Another child victim has talked

of how the abuse led her to contemplate suicide.

Rolf Harris walked from court knowing he must return

for sentencing on Friday. The judge said a jail sentence

for the 84 year old is likely. You may find this report upsetting.

Amidst the bedlam as Rolf Harris left court it was hard to fathom. He

has been part of our childhood for 60 years. And now this. Perverted,

predatory. Opportunistic. He wasn't this cuddly grandfatherly figure

type that people thought. I don't know how he lives his life

day-to-day. And I don't know how he sleeps at night. In court, his gaze

was fixed. The only signed the motion hint of a tremble as the 12

guilty verdicts were read out. Rolf Harris, a children's entertainer,

guilty of sexually abusing children. At the heart of this case, it goes

back to the 70s. At the time he lived in south London. 34 years

later, a woman came forward saying during those years, Rolf Harris

sexually assaulted her, not once, but repeatedly. She had been a

friend of Rolf Harris's daughter and he had known her since she was

little. And the abuse began when she was 13 years old. It is back in the

late 60s, around the time he received an MBE, when his daughter

became friends with the girl. It was this letter written to her father 30

years later that was proof of a relationship. He said he was

sickened by his behaviour towards her, and she told the BBC today she

was just relieved it was over. This was a man who front of the campaign

about child sex abuse. About what was and what wasn't acceptable

touching. He went on television to promote the campaign. Just weeks

before this, he had met a 15-year-old girl in a pub, 28 years

later, she finally spoke out on Australian television. I was

absolutely petrified. You know, I just... I wanted to scream but I

didn't. I knew that what he had done was wrong. I was embarrassed as

well. I didn't want to tell anybody. That he touched me. There was a

pattern for the women have come forward from across Britain, across

the world. Near Portsmouth, one woman said she was seven or eight of

the time when Jews assaulted, asking for an autograph. In Cambridge, at a

TV show in the 70s, he denied he even set foot in Cambridge and then

this footage emerged during the trial. The list goes on. Malta, an

18-year-old, New Zealand, 16-year-old, Australia, 12-year-old.

One TV make-up artist said they had a name for him, the octopus. And

others are now coming forward. This, a BBC reporter,. He grabbed my face.

In his hands like that. And he pulled my face towards him and he

forced his tongue into my mouth. Same incident in from suspicion.

Each victim, unbeknownst to the others, described a similar pattern

of behaviour. That of a man acting without fear of the consequences. A

TV star since the 50s, but it seems the only saw the public golf Harris.

A little piece of childhood, shed innocence is gone. It appears he was

good at hiding a dark side. This, the police mugshot of the man who

was tonight facing prison. for the 84 year old is likely.

Rolf Harris entertained generations of children and adults

in a career which has earned him millions and which led him

to paint the Queen's portrait. Our Home Editor Mark Easton

considers the downfall of a man, once held in

near universal affection, now exposed as a serial sexual abuser.

Natural warmth was Rolf Harris' showbusiness calling card.

A family entertainer who was the obvious choice for Animal Hospital

or a public information film aimed at keeping children safe.

That's why, for generations of children who grew

up with the avuncular Australian, discovering he was

a sexual predator is so disturbing. You get to an age

when nothing is meant to shock you. I found it shocking

because it is a bit of your childhood being ripped apart,

quite apart from the childhood of these women he ripped apart.

Again and again, at his trial, evidence of the devastating impact

his sexual assaults had on women and girls was produced.

And, as the case continued, dozens of others spoke out.

At the NSPCC, since Harris was charged, we see more people come

forward making complaints about abuse at Harris' hands and more

people coming forward saying they witnessed abuse at Harris' hands.

Harris's approachability granted him both access to potential victims

and credibility should he ever be confronted.

Rolf wouldn't do that. But he did.

I was chatting to somebody and this enormous hand grabbed my

bottom very hard which made me jump and then I had Rolf Harris saying

my name, growling my name, in my ear, which was a shock because Rolf

Harris had just pinched my bottom. It can be Rolf Harris because

he doesn't do things like that. The Rolf Harris case,

like that of Jimmy Savile, poses uncomfortable questions

for the television industry. Its stars were too powerful

and valuable to be challenged. Victims had to fend for themselves.

We learned the skills of self defence.

You know, quick kick on the shin, crafty heel from a shoe.

A good push, keep your back against the wall when

you get into a lift with a man. We just learned sensible codes

of behaviour. But no code of behaviour could have

saved all of Rolf Harris' victims. Let's not forget that one

was seven years old. The former editor of The News

of the World, Andy Coulson, and the paper's royal editor,

Clive Goodman, are to face a retrial over charges they conspired to

commit misconduct in public office. Coulson was found guilty

of conspiracy to hack phones last week, but the jury was unable to

reach a verdict on the allegation that they paid a police officer

for royal telephone directories. Tom Symonds reports.

Day after day for more than 130 days, Andy Coulson has been here in

court but he arrived today knowing his conviction for phone hacking is

only the end of one chapter of the legal saga he is caught up in.

He remains facing allegations centred on these confidential

royal phone directories. He is accused of buying them along

with his royal editor Clive Goodman from serving police officers.

They both deny the charges. The Crown Prosecution Service

decided it was in the public interest for there to be a retrial.

It would have been a careful decision taken

at the highest levels and they will followed the convention

which is to go for a second time if the first jury couldn't agree.

Eight were charged with phone hacking.

Six convicted. Briefly, they sat together in the

dock this morning, the men behind the News Of The World conspiracy.

Andy Coulson, the editor, when most of the hacking went on.

Two former news editors, James Weatherup and Greg Miskiw.

Two reporters, Dan Evans, who admitted hacking phones himself,

and veteran Neville Thurlbeck. Finally, private investigator

Glenn Mulcaire, first convicted in 2006, he pleaded guilty to

a further charge last year. The evidence

against them was overwhelming. In this case, Neville Thurlbeck.

The work being to hack Milly Dowler's phone.

Prosecutor Andrew Peters told the judge...

But arguing for a reduced sentence, the barrister for Neville Thurlbeck

said the hacking had been approved by senior figures at

News International. Two of whom have been arrested

but not charged. And can't be named

for legal reasons. All apart from Dan Evans will

be sentenced on Friday. They are facing up to two years

in prison. In the past hour the Israeli Army

has said that the three Israeli teenagers who went missing earlier

this month in the West Bank have been found dead.

The teenagers were aged between 19 and 16.

They were last seen at a junction near Hebron as they hitchhiked home.

Israel accused the militant group Hamas of abducting the three,

which Hamas has repeatedly denied. We can talk to your land in

Jerusalem. What more can you tell us? Just the briefest of statements

so far from the Israeli military confirming that they have found

three bodies and saying the friends examinations are being carried out

but the families of these missing Israeli teenagers have been

notified. Now, these bodies were discovered a few miles from where

the young Israelis were last seen close to a Jewish settlement near to

the city of Hebron. Earlier there were clashes in a village by Hebron

between Palestinians and the Israeli soldiers who were there. There has

been a huge Israeli military operation to try and find these

teenagers over the past couple of weeks. And also targeting members of

how Mass. In the occupied West Bank -- how Mass. Many have been arrested

and five Palestinian tabbing shot and killed. It has had huge budget

limitations coming two months after peace talks broke down between

Israel and the Palestinians. -- Hamas. Thank you.

which Hamas has repeatedly denied. The Prime Minister has told MPs that

he will now work with the incoming head of the European Commission,

Jean Claude Juncker , despite having opposed his nomination.

Mr Cameron defended his unsuccessful attempt to block the appointment of

Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission and denied he'd

been left isolated and weakened. He was warmly congratulated

by his eurosceptic backbenchers. Our deputy political editor

James Landale reports. The European Parliament and

Strasbourg. With flags and banners to mark the new political season,

and a chance for newly elected MEPs to celebrate their candidate winning

the presidency of the European Commission. Their victory was this

man's defeat. David Cameron travelled to the Commons to explain

why he had failed to stop Jean-Claude Juncker getting

Europe's top job. But look at this. Rarely has such an outvoted Prime

Minister got so much applause from his backbenchers. Once again my

right honourable friend is the toast of Somerset for his stand against

Jean-Claude Juncker. I always knew he had led in his pension. That

pencil. He made us proud. But having lost the argument over Jean-Claude

Juncker, Mr Cameron said it could still win the argument for reform.

Last week's outcome will make the negotiations of Britain's

relationship with the European Parliament had and makes the stakes

higher. There will always be huge challenges in this long campaign to

reform the EU but with the termination, I believe we can

deliver. But what if he could not deliver? What would have to happen

for my honourable friend to come back from his the negotiations and

recommend that people vote out? His answer body wants to stay in a

reformed EU did not satisfy this MP. While another suggested he needed to

rebuild some bridges fast. Really commit himself to the painstaking

and difficult work of building those alliances necessary to help us get

those reforms? The Tories cheered and jeered but Labour said Mr

Cameron's strategy was in tatters after a masterclass in how to

alienate your allies. The Prime Minister failed over Jean-Claude

Juncker and was outmanoeuvred and outvoted instead of building our

alliances in Europe, he is a defeated Prime Minister who cannot

deliver for Britain. The key test of who is right in this debate will

come in a few weeks. David Cameron once again goes into battle, this

time over which top job in Britain should get in the new European

Commission. Only then will we know if he can rebuild the Alliance he

has to have if he has to have it appears to change the long run. Rolf

Harris is found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against women

and children. Still to come, news of Andy Murray's progress against a

tall and tough opponent here at Wimbledon.

Later on BBC London. The Tower Hamlets mayor is accused

of holding up a Government investigation into how the council

spends tax payers? money. And coming to London.

Why transport bosses say the Tour de France will be good for the capital.

Every employee in Britain now has the right to request flexible

working hours and can expect their request to be considered

BEEP in a reasonable manner by employers, previously only carers

and parents could do so. their request to be considered

Tick tock, tick tock, got to get to work.

Wouldn't it be nice to avoid rush-hour, stagger your hours, work

a four-day week, leave a bit later? From today, you have the right to

ask and the boss has to listen. Digital agency Clock is

a company already doing it, with positive results.

We are able to attract really great staff, we are able to make staff

really happy and empowered and enthusiastic about what they

are doing, so when we need them to do some extra stuff, because we've

given them extra flexibility, they are much more willing to give

it to us. Rules on flexible working

that already apply to parents or carers are being extended.

Anyone who has worked for 26 weeks with their employer has the right

to request flexible working. Requests should be in writing

and should be answered within three months.

Requests can be rejected by employers but only

for good business reasons, such as incurring additional cost.

Unions have given it a cautious welcome.

We are finally seeing this right extended to all workers

and not just parents, so there shouldn't be that same stigma

at work of only working mothers and dads asking to work flexibly.

This is a bit more like it, spreading out a bit, avoiding the

crush, making my work fit my life. The Government hopes that happier

employees are more committed and more productive employees.

Given there is no guarantee the boss will say yes to flexible

working, how many people will feel comfortable asking the question?

Personally, I'd feel very comfortable asking

for it because I think that's the way everything is going.

Especially the younger generations, they essentially expect to work

on their own terms. It depends on what line

of business you work in. I work in hospitality,

so would be a tough call to ask my boss to do less hours on a weekend.

And this employer predicts problems. Some employees are going to be

very upset about it because they are not going to get it.

They are going to feel like it's a God-given right.

The point is, it's going to become a lotto.

And that could cause huge upset. The biggest impact may be felt

by older workers, as retirement becomes more gradual, and those

with children, who will no longer get first dibs on flexible hours.

Simon Jack, BBC News. In South Africa, the Oscar Pistorius

murder trial resumed today, after a six week break to assess

the athlete's mental state. The court's ruled he wasn't mentally

ill when he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp,

last year and can be tried for her murder, which he denies.

Andrew Harding was in court. How are you feeling, Oscar?

So, does he have an anxiety disorder?

Oscar Pistorius has returned to court today after a month

of psychiatric evaluation. The prosecution quick to declare

that a panel of experts had found nothing

significantly wrong with him. Mr Pistorius did not suffer

from a mental defect or mental illness at the time of

the offence that would have rendered him permanently not responsible

for the offences charged. Pistorius maintains he shot

Reeva Steenkamp because she thought she was a burglar.

Today, his own doctor told the court that his disability meant

he was likely to over react. The doctor declining to be filmed

in court. His ability to turn

around is severely impaired by his lack of balance

and the instability of his stumps. On his stumps

in a dangerous situation, his ability of fleeing is severely

impaired and his ability to ward off danger is severely impaired.

To emphasise the point, Oscar Pistorius took

off his prosthetic legs in court and showed the judge his stumps.

The aim, to emphasise how vulnerable he must

have felt when he believed that intruders had got into his house.

Today the defence also argued that neighbours, who said they'd heard

a woman scream that night, must have been wrong, that tests proved

they were too far away to be sure. Pistorius' defence continues,

perhaps for the rest of this week. Andrew Harding, BBC News, Pretoria.

Andy Murray had his toughest match of the tournament so far. Murray one

and is due to the quarterfinals. Joe Wilson reports. It can be a long day

for tennis. Here is the FA's Greg Dyke, perhaps recalling England's

recent 0-0 draw at the World Cup. Turn your eyes skywards to see the

roof opening. While Kevin Anderson would not have put his head on it,

Andy Murray's opponent ducks most doorways. Six foot eight from

Johannesburg, Anderson serves from altitude with attitude. Kumar E

Konko that? The answer was yes, and quickly. The third game of the first

set, Merritt worked his first break. The set followed, 6-4. His Wimbledon

routine means ice bats and home-cooked dinners, steak and

chicken on strict rotation. He was playing like the table was laid.

Then rain. It became an indoor court, or a greenhouse if you

prefer. Match resuming on your toes. Anderson was much better. Murray had

to reach another level to take the second set. He did it with pace

covering the court, and he added pace to his serve. 120 mph straight

at you. Second set to -3, into the third and something other than

simple power. Something special. Outrageous score. But Anderson was a

determined opponent who'd found his feet playing on Centre Court for the

first time. Third set went to a tie-break. Under pressure, Andy

Murray prevailed. So another straight sets victory but this time

he'd had to climb a mountain. Andy Murray conceded afterwards that was

his toughest test of the tournament so far, maybe in view of preparing

for challenges to come that is no bad thing. Speaking of which, Novak

Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are under way in their first set on the

court. It could be a late night here, Fiona, I hope nobody is

feeling too drowsy. Let's have a look at the weather now.

A lower risk of seeing some showers tomorrow, a good day with sunshine

around, as temperatures climb into the low 20s. Although the showers

have been moving away from Wimbledon, we have a cluster across

North Kent at the moment giving torrential downpours. Tomorrow

morning will still have showers in the force cast but most will miss

them. The showers to the south-east clearing away, keeping a few going

across parts of Scotland for a bit longer but mainly dry night, clear

spells, not quite as chilly as last night. Towns and cities starting the

day at around ten to 13 degrees. A lot of places starting the day dry,

fine and bread with sunny spells. Still perhaps a bit more cloud with

some showers through the morning across south-west England, but they

are clearing away and we should see signs of brightening up here in the

afternoon. More sunshine for parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our top

temperature tomorrow will be in the south-east at 22 to 23, a lower risk

of seeing some showers here. The risk will push further north, so we

could see some locally heavy downpours across parts of Wales, the

Pennines and into the Lake District. Northern Ireland should stay dry and

bright. In parts of Scotland there is the risk of a shower, especially

through the Highlands. Do the central lowlands, the temperatures

in the 20s. The high pressure is slipping further south. By

Wednesday, some weather fronts moving into the North West,

introducing some thicker cloud. Rain to the northern and western isles.

The warm and sunny weather lasting August across the south-east where,

through Wednesday and Thursday, we could see highs in the mid-20s. More

details on the website. The veteran entertainer Rolf Harris

is found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against women and

children. That's all from the BBC News. We can