Former children’s entertainer Rolf Harris has pleaded not guilty in a London court to a string of new sexual assault charges.

Appearing via videolink from Stafford prison where he is serving time for sexual assaults on four females, Harris entered a plea of not guilty to seven charges of indecent assault and one of sexual touching, alleged to have taken place between 1971 and 2004.

The complainants were aged between 12 and 27 at the time of the alleged offences.

One had cerebral palsy and the prosecution will allege she was unable to get away from Harris, whom she described as like an “octopus”.

The new alleged offences by Harris are opportunistic attacks such as groping and putting his hands up girl’s skirts when they were completely off guard.

Harris’s lawyer tried to argue that details of the charges should not be aired before what he called a “media circus”.

However, the judge dismissed this application and said the details should be heard in open court.

The case has been referred to Southwark Crown Court where Harris will appear on April 14.

Harris’s family released a statement saying they were saddened and disappointed the 85-year-old would be made to face another trial.

Harris is currently serving five years and nine months after being convicted of 12 charges of indecent assault in July 2014.

ABC