www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/roy-harper...abuse-charge-2793223

Folk star Roy Harper faces charges of sexually abusing a girl from age of 12
15 Nov 2013 00:00

The 72-year-old is to appear at Hereford magistrates court accused of nine counts of sexual assault - including two of unlawful sexual intercourse

Folk and rock veteran Roy Harper faces charges of sexually abusing a girl from the age of 12 - almost four decades ago.

The 72-year-old singer-songwriter, who has performed with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd , is to appear at Hereford magistrates court on Monday accused of nine counts of sexual assault.

They include two charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, three of indecent assault and four of gross indecency on a child aged under 13 and 14.

The offences are alleged to have happened between August 31, 1975 and June, 1977, and relate to one girl.

Harper, who last month played sell-out shows in London, Bristol and Manchester, is the first musician to be charged with historic sex offences in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

The case is not part of Operation Yewtree, the Scotland Yard probe set up after the Savile inquiry. Manchester-born Harper, who now lives in County Cork in Ireland, was summonsed by police in West Mercia, where the offences are said to have occurred.

He was voluntarily interviewed at Heathrow in February and has never been arrested.

Around the time of the alleged offences Harper sang lead vocals on Pink Floyd’s Have a Cigar on their 1975 classic album Wish You Were Here.

He was awarded the MOJO Hero Award by the music magazine in 2005.

This is quite significant, showing that the false allegations industry (we must assume he's innocent unless, until and possibly after he's found guilty) has started to smear rock, pop and folk stars. I was wondering why so many huge music stars haven't been arrested and accused. I thought I'd been hallucinating groupies from the 60s and 70s - or perhaps was just plain wrong that media publicity provokes hundreds of false accusers. I cannot accept that wealthy stars can squash publicity (I couldn't, thirteen years ago). Mind you, Roy Harper seems to have been first questioned in February and not a hint until now.

It's that 'fine line' though JK - 'cult' musicians are in the same boat as DJ's & Entertainers of Yesteryear in that the 'name' attracts publicity but doesn't detract any multi-million dollar cash cows.
He's the same as Gary Glitter in that respect - he doesn't provide enough income for the multi-nationals who, of course, control the media and the politicians and therefore control the agenda.

Whereas the likes of Bill Wyman are protected by 'Brand Stones', which can never be sullied - and other big names, dead or alive, who generate millions in residual income for so many, year in year out, yet played the field wherever there was grass on the pitch often quite famously.

Is it really that cynical and contrived? You betcha....

For me, Chris, incompetence trumps conspiracy every time but I must say, something very odd has reared its head over the past two years. It really is beyond my comprehension.

Chris Retro wrote:
It's that 'fine line' though JK - 'cult' musicians are in the same boat as DJ's & Entertainers of Yesteryear in that the 'name' attracts publicity but doesn't detract any multi-million dollar cash cows.
He's the same as Gary Glitter in that respect - he doesn't provide enough income for the multi-nationals who, of course, control the media and the politicians and therefore control the agenda.

Whereas the likes of Bill Wyman are protected by 'Brand Stones', which can never be sullied - and other big names, dead or alive, who generate millions in residual income for so many, year in year out, yet played the field wherever there was grass on the pitch often quite famously.

... er, Michael Jackson ?

The Michael Jackson who still has millions of fans worldwide and who's music still rings around the world you mean? It's not affecting Sony's ca$hflow is it?

In America they might be stupid, but they are obviously not as stupid as the lemmings of this godforsaken Island as they to be able to separate the *art* from the *artist* - Just ask R Kelly, Jerry Lee, Chuck and whole host of others

Chris Retro wrote:
The Michael Jackson who still has millions of fans worldwide and who's music still rings around the world you mean? It's not affecting Sony's ca$hflow is it?

In America they might be stupid, but they are obviously not as stupid as the lemmings of this godforsaken Island as they to be able to separate the *art* from the *artist* - Just ask R Kelly, Jerry Lee, Chuck and whole host of others
Yep Chris. If all those people were British, they'd not of been quite so lucky.

Did we read about a possible comeback from Gary Glitter on Twitter, this week? Certain complainers (with no life, but to complain about things they know nothing about) had the statements removed. I thought Twitter was a followers thing, so what were all those complainers doing following the Tweets of the person tweeting them? Quite amazing. They don't realise no matter what, that Mr Glitter does still have a fanbase. The Gang Shows attracted millions throught the 80s & 90s & quite magnificent, entertainment they were, even with the repetitive Glitter lyrics! Then we read he's now been re-bailed (yet again) until next year & still no sign of any case, against Freddie Starr.

I just wonder what goes on at the Police Stations, when these people have to re-appear & re-appear? Is bail money, helping to fund the Police Stations, because the Council Tax, ain't enough?!

Indeed...in the USA nothing like what has happened to GG would occur...he would be allowed to continue to 'work' and make a living if he could.

There isn't the tabloid culture that re-heats stale old tales to serve up to the weirdo Brits who seem to relish tales of illicit underage sex.

No idea who this latest arrestee is but defending claims from 40 years ago ?

God help us..I can't remember details from 20 years ago or even 10 !

while genuine victims need justice surely there must be a time limit on these claims which are easy to make and difficult (or ruinous) to disprove.

Of course the MWTs of the world scream to High Heaven about a Statute of Limits but their living requires a steady stream of abuse.

Well, yes, as JK says, it was probably coming, if there was any logic to it at all, but Roy Harper???? I suppose it doesn't matter who you start with, but presumably anyone at the top has the kind of lawyers who can absolutely destroy this kind of thing (I mean, they surely bat this sort of stuff away several time every single year). So I'm quite bewildered.