A jury has been selected for the sexual assault trial of Rolf Harris, who will follow proceedings remotely.
He is accused of indecently assaulting young girls over a period of more than 30 years, and his trial, which started on Monday, is expected to last for about six weeks.
Wearing a dark suit and tie, the entertainer replied “I am, yes”, when asked if he was Rolf Harris by the judge, Alistair McCreath, as he appeared via videolink.
In December last year, McCreath ruled that Harris, 86, would not have to attend the trial in person because of his age and health.
The judge told jurors at Southwark crown court in London: “Finally we are waking up to the reality that we live in a digital world. We can very happily try Mr Harris without him having to be here. He is not a young man and it naturally makes a lot of sense for him to attend his trial remotely.”
The Australian musician watched as a jury of five men and seven women were selected, along with three reserves.
Jurors were directed to pause in front of the camera for a moment so Harris could see them and say if he knew any of them, before making their way to the jury box.
Jurors were warned against undertaking their own research, which McCreath said could create a “dysfunctional, corrupt trial”.
A screen split into sections will show parts of the courtroom and the room where Harris will follow proceedings. Witnesses will be hidden from his view by screens, the court heard.
Harris has previously pleaded not guilty to seven counts of indecent assault and one alternate charge of sexual assault.
He is accused of attacking seven women and girls, one of whom was aged under 13, between 1971 and 2004. Some of the offences were allegedly committed at BBC Television Centre in west London.
The crown is expected to open its case on Wednesday.