Menu
11/09/2013
Corrie Star Cleared Of Rape Claims
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been cleared of a number of child sex abuse charges.
Le Vell, 48, who plays Kevin Webster in the soap, faced 12 charges of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity and rape.
He denied the charged that he abused a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, from the age of six until she was 14.
Yesterday, it took the jury of eight women and four men just over four hours to return a verdict of not guilty on all counts. After the verdict was announced, Le Vell looked at the jury and mouthed "thank you" to them.
The actor's accuser, who is now aged 17, had told the court he had raped her while putting a teddy bear over her mouth to keep her quiet. She alleged that he had told her he was "just getting rid of all the evil and bad inside me".
However, Alisdair Williamson, for the defence, said her evidence was "inconsistent" and "unbelievable" with an "agonising lack of detail".
During the trial, Le Vell admitted he was an alcoholic who had a number of affairs during his 25-year marriage. He was described by the defence as a "weak, stupid and drunk man" and a "bad husband", but that he was not a child rapist.
He was initially arrested on 30 September 2011, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to proceed with the case. However, after a review of the evidence following fresh allegations by the girl, Le Vell was re-arrested and charged in February 2013.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday, Le Vell, who was being tried under his real name of Michael Turner, thanked his family and ITV for their support.
He also said he was "delighted" with the outcome and the result was "a weight off everyone's shoulders."
He is now expected to return to work on Coronation Street.
(JP/CD)
Le Vell, 48, who plays Kevin Webster in the soap, faced 12 charges of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity and rape.
He denied the charged that he abused a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, from the age of six until she was 14.
Yesterday, it took the jury of eight women and four men just over four hours to return a verdict of not guilty on all counts. After the verdict was announced, Le Vell looked at the jury and mouthed "thank you" to them.
The actor's accuser, who is now aged 17, had told the court he had raped her while putting a teddy bear over her mouth to keep her quiet. She alleged that he had told her he was "just getting rid of all the evil and bad inside me".
However, Alisdair Williamson, for the defence, said her evidence was "inconsistent" and "unbelievable" with an "agonising lack of detail".
During the trial, Le Vell admitted he was an alcoholic who had a number of affairs during his 25-year marriage. He was described by the defence as a "weak, stupid and drunk man" and a "bad husband", but that he was not a child rapist.
He was initially arrested on 30 September 2011, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to proceed with the case. However, after a review of the evidence following fresh allegations by the girl, Le Vell was re-arrested and charged in February 2013.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday, Le Vell, who was being tried under his real name of Michael Turner, thanked his family and ITV for their support.
He also said he was "delighted" with the outcome and the result was "a weight off everyone's shoulders."
He is now expected to return to work on Coronation Street.
(JP/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 June 2012
Rochdale Paedophile Ringleader Named
The ringleader of a paedophile gang in Rochdale, who groomed young white girls for sex, has been named after being found guilty of 30 separate child rape charges. Shabir Ahmed, 59, led a child sex exploitation ring of nine men who targeted vulnerable young girls in the Rochdale and Oldham areas of Greater Manchester.
Rochdale Paedophile Ringleader Named
The ringleader of a paedophile gang in Rochdale, who groomed young white girls for sex, has been named after being found guilty of 30 separate child rape charges. Shabir Ahmed, 59, led a child sex exploitation ring of nine men who targeted vulnerable young girls in the Rochdale and Oldham areas of Greater Manchester.
27 February 2013
Actor Michael Le Vell Appears In Court On 19 Child Sex Crime Charges
Actor Michael Le Vell, Coronation Street’s Kevin Webster, has appeared in court to face a number of child sex crime charges. 48-year-old Le Vell is charged with 19 serious sexual offences, including six rapes and six indecent assaults.
Actor Michael Le Vell Appears In Court On 19 Child Sex Crime Charges
Actor Michael Le Vell, Coronation Street’s Kevin Webster, has appeared in court to face a number of child sex crime charges. 48-year-old Le Vell is charged with 19 serious sexual offences, including six rapes and six indecent assaults.
15 February 2013
Corrie Actor Charged With Child Rape
Michael Le Vell, the actor who plays Kevin Webster in the soap Coronation Street, has been charged with a series of sex offences, including child rape. The 48-year-old actor is facing a total of 19 charges, which also include indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child, alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2010.
Corrie Actor Charged With Child Rape
Michael Le Vell, the actor who plays Kevin Webster in the soap Coronation Street, has been charged with a series of sex offences, including child rape. The 48-year-old actor is facing a total of 19 charges, which also include indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child, alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2010.
21 March 2013
Corrie Actor In Court For 19 Child Sex Charges
Actor Michael Turner, known as Michael Le Vell, has appeared in court to be charged with 19 sexual offences against a child. At Manchester Crown Court the 48-year-old Coronation Street star spoke only to confirm his details.
Corrie Actor In Court For 19 Child Sex Charges
Actor Michael Turner, known as Michael Le Vell, has appeared in court to be charged with 19 sexual offences against a child. At Manchester Crown Court the 48-year-old Coronation Street star spoke only to confirm his details.
14 June 2011
Primary School Teacher Sentenced For Sexual Offences
A North Somerset primary school teacher has been given an indeterminate public protection order for a catalogue of sexual abuse against young girl pupils in his care. He will only be released when it is safe to do so and this equates to a determinate sentence of 24 years.
Primary School Teacher Sentenced For Sexual Offences
A North Somerset primary school teacher has been given an indeterminate public protection order for a catalogue of sexual abuse against young girl pupils in his care. He will only be released when it is safe to do so and this equates to a determinate sentence of 24 years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
