entertainer Rolf Harris targeted young fans whose "penalty" for their admiration was to be sexually assaulted by him, a court heard.

The 84-year-old, who is accused of a string of indecent assaults, was an arrogant and brazen man who thought he was "untouchable" and "invin­cible", Southwark Crown Court, London, heard.

In her closing speech at the artist's trial, prosecutor Sasha Wass, QC, accused him of grooming his daughter's friend, treating her like a "pet" and a "prostitute".

Ms Wass told the jury: "In this case it's the word of 10 independent victims, all who have given chillingly similar accounts of sexual abuse and exploitation by a man whose public image was pristine, lilywhite.

"These victims saw the dark side of Rolf Harris, they saw the side of Rolf Harris who admitted he was sexually attracted to a 13-year-old girl.

"They saw the side of Rolf Harris who admitted engaging in sexual activity with his daughter's best friend in the presence of his daughter.

"They saw the side to Rolf Harris which traded on his public image to envelop children and young women in his famous bear hugs and sexually abuse them in circumstances in which they were unable to escape."

Mr Harris denies 12 counts of indecent assault on four different alleged victims - seven of which relate to a friend of his daughter.

The court has heard the woman claims he first abused her when she was 13. Mr Harris said they had a consensual relationship that did not begin until she was 18.

Ms Wass told the jury the star singled out girls who were mesmerised and beguiled by his fame, treating them as sexual objects he could "maul" when he felt like it.

She said: "He targeted fans who were mesmerised by his fame and talents. And the penalty of their admiration was to suffer sexual assault."

The QC said each woman, unknown to the others, described a similar pattern of "deviant sexual behaviour" and had not reported their experiences earlier as they feared going against "the great Rolf Harris".

The case continues.