The emotional 65-year-old has been convicted of 10 out of 11 counts of attacks on girls while he was a household name for his role in the Australian TV show.
Hughes screamed “I am innocent” and mouthed, “no, no, no” in an unexpected outburst as the jury revealed nine guilty verdicts at Downing Centre District Court in Sydney yesterday.
Today, he arrived at court with puffy eyes to learn he has been convicted on one further charge relating to a young woman who told how the actor had exposed himself to her and groped her at a TV studio in 1990.
Overall, his convictions comprise eight counts of indecently assaulting a person under 16 and two counts of sexual intercourse with a child.
The jury, which appeared taken aback at Hughes’ reaction yesterday, today returned one final verdict and was discharged from determining another charge that they couldn’t agree on.
Hughes’ portrayal in court has been in stark contrast to the innocence of the G-rated show that propelled him to fame in the late 80s.
The court heard how he forced one girl to lie on his lap and feel his “hard penis” while he administered ear drops for an infection. In another case, he was alleged to have made a young girl masturbate him before pulling a doona over her and handing over her teddy.
Hughes’ celebrity agent wife Robyn Gardiner, whose clients include Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, attended court yesterday but reportedly stormed out afterwards.
Today, she whispered to him on the dock before kissing his face.
His daughter Jessica, 36, has also stood by him and provided evidence in his defense.
Hughes is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Running from 1987 to 1994, Hey Dad! was a high-rating family program broadcast on Channel 7.
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