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Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
I have to admit bias as William Merritt worked on my recent case (2018) and was sensational. As he recounts - he also worked on Dave Lee Travis - in both his case and Rolf's, after their first trials but, for me, before mine started, with spectacular results.
One of my false accusers, clearly deliberately manufacturing his lies in order to get cash, was furious on the witness stand because William had contacted his mother who knew he had been in constant phone contact with me as part of The King's Army, my Word-Of-Mouth way of promotion in the 60s and 70s. He'd stated many times on oath that he'd only ever had contact with me once - a terrifying experience that had wrecked his life.
I'd actually sent him a copy of an album by Keef Hartley - who I was promoting on Decca at the time.
But his fury was understandable. He knew this destroyed his claims. Many false accusers make the mistake of thinking defendants don't find evidence of their lies - often coming from friends or relatives.
What horrified me was that the police had not interviewed his mother. They would then have dropped him as a witness (or accuser).
It took myself and my superb PI to do it.
Likewise, police and CPS had copies of my scrapbook in which he had been interviewed in 1991 by a Scottish local paper and had claimed he had been the lead singer of my band The Weathermen in 1971 (a total lie).
Amazing how corrupt and incompetent cops can be.
The police clearly knew he was lying and also knew that interviewing the mother would destroy their case.
I think these enablers should be prosecuted. Whilst false accusers like Carl Beech and Jemma Beale end up doing decades in prison, these enablers, knowingly trying to get innocent people convicted, get promoted. or make fortunes (bent lawyers).
The great hidden aspect of crime this century.
For me the destruction of an innocent man - Dave Lee Travis - has been one of the worst and most obvious examples of this criminal behaviour by the enablers.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
It's often family or friends who destroy the false accusers - whilst trying to support their loved ones they give details totally contradicting their relative or mate's story and often proving they are guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice. So what do police and CPS do? They dump the witness statements - sometimes trying to bury them away in UNUSED MATERIAL, hoping nobody notices. I think that is criminal behaviour - by the police. One man's sister gave detailed and valuable evidence, unintentionally completely destroying her brother's story. Another sister told Surrey Police she'd kill herself if her statement from years earlier that her brother had raped her on numerous occasions when she was 12 ("total penetration") was exposed in court. The CPS decided not to call her after all.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
I've now finished reading William's book. What is tremendous about it is the incredible detail he provides. What is frightening is how badly the police investigate. If asked in two words to describe him I'd say THOROUGH and STRAIGHT. If he'd found any evidence that I was guilty he'd have told me so and would have refused to work further. This is rare in a human being. Too many only really care about making money (William was on Legal Aid).
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
I've now had so many messages about this sensational book (and 33,000 views to this thread). The thing is - it is NOT just about the Rolf Harris case; it is about how meticulous investigation can easily find which allegations are true, which are total fiction and which - the majority - are essentially right but hugely exaggerated for one reason or another, often at the insistence of "enablers". Not always for malicious or wicked reasons. Quite often for decent motives (who wouldn't want to see a murderer jailed even if it meant bending the evidence?). But sometimes for downright criminal reasons (usually financial). People CAN get things wrong. People CAN get confused (often through abuse of alcohol or drugs). When they are told "you will be believed" criminals, correctly, think the law is on their side and they are not breaking it by assisting police and CPS by lying or exaggerating. This book illustrates, forensically, how good, honest investigation can expose such things.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
Totally agree JK and it's a shocking scandal police fail to investigate properly especially these days when they are quite quick at catching murderers.
But a malevolent person in power proclaimed, shockingly and against all great British justice tradition:
"BELIEVE THE VICTIM".
fascinating book also by comedian Jim Davidson, a comedian I never liked but did not deserve to be falsely accused. Police shenanigans were appaling.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
Jo wrote: Probably wishful thinking but it would be good if the media would pick up on this book and give its findings some coverage.
the media is complicit Jo.
Take Cardinal Pell.. a thoroughly Conservative Catholic often with ideas opposite to Pope Francis but nonetheless each highly respected each other's integrity over decades.
2 good books outline the shockingly corrupt case against him.
One by conservative historian Keith Windshuttle : The persecution of George Pell
and another by a Left Wing priest and oft Pell critic Frank Brennan who nonetheless was appalled by the case: Observations of the Pell Proceedings.
Both forensic and point out glaring inconsistencies ignored by cops.
And both books ignored by the mass media who previously lapped up every minute of Pell's conviction.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
I agree about the media, Green Man and hedda. They probably won't want to do anything to undermine their headlines about the "paedo" whose "youngest victim was only 7" for when Rolf passes away.
I also have Jim Davidson's book, hedda, and like you never liked him as a comedian but thought his book was well-written and eye-opening.
Shameful that the media ignored those books about the Pell case, which sound interesting.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
Tell me about it Jo. It was why I relied on Social Media and in particular this site to tell my side of the story. 21 years ago I knew this was the only way I could put it forward and indeed it has been overwhelmingly successful. Spread the word; buy the books; read the books and eventually mainstream media which only cares about good stories will spot this is a great story. Always remember - they turn on a sixpence. The tabloids would even become pro-Meghan if she provided them with a topless snap to run.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
just watched the sequel.
fascinating and I love JK, the way you inject joviality into such a serious matter.
I've known a couple of people lie Ted Heath who I believe were very non-sexual. One is still alive and a broadcaster.
This is an odd aspect (there must be 100,000s if not millions who are similar)
Perhaps they have sexual thoughts but are averse to actual physical contact and never have it.
## there are many women like this. I had a "maiden" aunt who I know never had a physical affair.
But when it's a man the media cannot stand it. I've had media pals say all sorts of crazy things about one "non - sexual" man I know and the rumours become inflated and yet..for all their claims..no "victim" or ex-lover ever comes forward.
I think JK will agree..in many ways those in the media are often naive but see the world in their own "perverted " way after dealing with so much real depravity..they really believe that everyone on the planet is harboring some vile secret.
Re:Inspired by the brilliant Rolf Harris book... 2 Years, 11 Months ago
And, check ex-Beeb honest Rod.
Although Liddle considered becoming a teacher, he decided against it on the grounds that he "could not remotely conceive of not trying to shag the kids".
Liddle also courted controversy discussing the public and police's response to child pornography and highlighted the Pete Townshend case as a means to highlight problems with enforcing the law.
Liddle was appointed editor of the Today programme in 1998. The programme had a strong reputation for its political interviews, but Liddle tried, with some success, to improve the programme's investigative journalism.