Entertainer Rolf Harris stripped of his Australian honours after being convicted of sexual assaults

Disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris was yesterday stripped of his Australian honours after being found guilty of sexually assaulting four girls in Britain.

The Australian television star, artist and songwriter was convicted last year of indecently assaulting the girls, who included the childhood best friend of his daughter Bindi, between 1969 and 1986. The decision to take back his honours was gazetted by Governor General Peter Cosgrove, Queen Elizabeth II's representative in Australia.

"It is notified for general information that the Governor General has terminated the appointments of Officer and Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division, made to Mr Rolf Harris," the notice said.

Harris was found guilty of 12 assaults against the four girls, who included an eight-year-old autograph hunter. He was jailed for five years and nine months.

"You have shown no remorse for your crimes at all," trial judge Nigel Sweeney said as he handed down his sentence.

Seven of the 12 counts related to Bindi's friend, including an incident where he sexually assaulted her as his daughter slept in an adjacent bed.