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Roy Harper cleared of historical sexual abuse, angry at court battle Roy Harper 'angry' at court fight as sexual abuse charges dropped
(35 minutes later)
The acclaimed folk musician Roy Harper has expressed anger and sorrow over a three-year battle to clear his name of allegations of historical sexual abuse.The acclaimed folk musician Roy Harper has expressed anger and sorrow over a three-year battle to clear his name of allegations of historical sexual abuse.
Harper, who has worked with artists ranging from Paul McCartney to Kate Bush and was namechecked in a Led Zeppelin track, walked free from court after prosecutors announced they were dropping allegations against him.Harper, who has worked with artists ranging from Paul McCartney to Kate Bush and was namechecked in a Led Zeppelin track, walked free from court after prosecutors announced they were dropping allegations against him.
Earlier this year a jury cleared Harper, 74, of claims that he sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in the 1970s and indecently assaulted a 16-year-old girl in 1980. But it failed to reach verdicts on other charges relating to the 11-year-old and he faced a retrial. Finally at Worcester crown on Monday court prosecutors offered no evidence on these charges. Earlier this year a jury cleared Harper, 74, of claims that he sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in the 1970s and indecently assaulted a 16-year-old girl in 1980. But it failed to reach verdicts on other charges relating to the 11-year-old and he faced a retrial. Finally, prosecutors at Worcester crown court offered no evidence on these charges on Monday.
Outside the court, Harper said he had always maintained his innocence. He said: “I have now been acquitted on all the charges that were brought. This case should never have gone as far as this, or taken so long to resolve. The psychological and personal cost to my wife and myself has been enormous and the financial cost hugely unfair. I lost my livelihood and I spent my savings ... and more, on my defence. Outside the court, Harper said he had always maintained his innocence. He said: “I have now been acquitted on all the charges that were brought. This case should never have gone as far as this, or taken so long to resolve.
“I realise these are difficult issues at this time in this society, and I thank my lawyers for standing by me and working so hard to show the truth. Despite coming out of this without a blemish on my name, I cannot recoup my costs and that’s left me incredibly angry. I’m now going to restart my working life where I left off nearly three years ago. I’d like to thank everyone who’s continued to support me. Thank you all of you.” “The psychological and personal cost to my wife and myself has been enormous and the financial cost hugely unfair. I lost my livelihood and I spent my savings ... and more, on my defence.
Harper has been a professional musician since 1964, releasing 22 studio albums and 10 live albums across his 50-year career. He has never been a household name but he continues to influence young musicians and has always been hugely admired by his peers, not least Led Zeppelin who honoured him on their Led Zeppelin III album by including the track Hats Off to (Roy) Harper. “I realise these are difficult issues at this time in this society, and I thank my lawyers for standing by me and working so hard to show the truth. Despite coming out of this without a blemish on my name, I cannot recoup my costs and that’s left me incredibly angry.
“I’m now going to restart my working life where I left off nearly three years ago. I’d like to thank everyone who’s continued to support me. Thank you, all of you.”
Harper has been a professional musician since 1964, releasing 22 studio albums and 10 live albums across his 50-year career. He has never been a household name but he continues to influence young musicians and has always been hugely admired by his peers, not least Led Zeppelin, who honoured him on their Led Zeppelin III album by including the track Hats Off to (Roy) Harper.
He was first contacted by the police in connection with the allegations in February 2013. In September that year his first album in 13 years, Man and Myth, was released to critical acclaim. The Guardian gave it four stars and called it “an absolute corker”.He was first contacted by the police in connection with the allegations in February 2013. In September that year his first album in 13 years, Man and Myth, was released to critical acclaim. The Guardian gave it four stars and called it “an absolute corker”.
During his trial, the prosecutor Anthony Potter told the jurors that several offences against the younger victim were alleged to have occurred at the singer’s then home near Marden, Herefordshire.During his trial, the prosecutor Anthony Potter told the jurors that several offences against the younger victim were alleged to have occurred at the singer’s then home near Marden, Herefordshire.
The alleged victim told police Harper’s home had been an exciting place to be when she was younger because there were lots of famous people there. She told officers: “I couldn’t wait to go round there. I felt special. There were lots of famous people, it was a nice place to be.” Harper now lives in County Cork, Ireland.The alleged victim told police Harper’s home had been an exciting place to be when she was younger because there were lots of famous people there. She told officers: “I couldn’t wait to go round there. I felt special. There were lots of famous people, it was a nice place to be.” Harper now lives in County Cork, Ireland.