02/05/2013

Stuart Hall Admits To Indecent Assaults

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has admitted to indecently assaulting 13 girls between the ages of 9 and 17.

The 83-year-old pleaded guilty to the offences at Preston Crown Court.

The offences took place between 1967 and 1985.

A further three charges of indecent assault and one count of rape have been left to lie on the court file.

The Crown Prosecution Service described Hall as an "opportunistic predator", with almost all of the victims providing "strikingly similar accounts".

It is understood the broadcaster Hall admitted the offences last month but it could not be revealed due to reporting restrictions.

Despite previous public denials of any wrongdoing, Hall calmly and repeatedly answered "guilty" when the charges were put to him at the hearing on April 16.

The Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, told him he would be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register and said that all sentencing options remain open, including immediate custody.

Hall's barrister, Crispin Aylett QC, said: "The defendant is, of course, sorry for what he has done. Through me he wishes to apologise to his victims.

"He is not a man easily moved to self pity but he is only too aware his disgrace is complete."

Hall has been bailed until sentencing on 17 June.

(JP/CD)

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