Veteran entertainer was found guilty of 12 charges of indecently assaulting young girls over a period of nearly 20 years
Rolf Harris was found guilty of 12 charges of indecently assaulting young girls over a period of nearly 20 years Reuters

Disgraced TV entertainer Rolf Harris could face further charges. Police reveal fresh claims of sexual abuse as more women come forward.

Detectives from Operation Yewtree are investigating reports from at least 12 women who have told a law firm that the 84-year-old Australian abused them.

According to the NSPCC, a total of 28 people have contacted their telephone helpline, with information and further allegations against the TV star.

On Friday, the Daily Mail reported that Harris's home computer contained pornographic images of young girls. The Crown Prosecution Service wanted to try the entertainer for possessing the images, alleged to be young girls, but it couldn't be proved the photographs' subjects were underaged.

Harris was found guilty of 12 indecent assaults against four girls – including one aged just seven-years-old – and has been jailed for five years and nine months.

There are mixed views over the length of the Australian's sentence. The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers' president said sentencing Harris under old guidelines was 'bizarre' and his term should be extended.

'The victim has suffered many more years of torment waiting for this case to come to court, so therefore the damage to the victims is greater and the sentence should be greater,' said Peter Garsden, president of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers.

However, police commissioner Vera Baird said Harris should not serve longer than the law demanded at the time of the offences, according to a BBC report.

Harris's prosecution was based on the law when his offences were committed, when the strongest sentence for indecent assault was two years in prison, or five years for victims under 13.

The Australian entertainer may be released in less than three years, although his sentence has been referred for a possible appeal to increase its length.

The attorney-gefeneral has confirmed that he has received a complaint about the sentence passed on Harris and has 28 days to decide whether or not to refer it to the Court of Appeal for being 'unduly lenient'.