02/09/2013

Coronation Street Actors Deny Rape Charges

William Roache, the actor who plays Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and indecent assault.

The 81-year-old, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, entered the plea on two counts of rape of a 15-year-old girl, dating to 1967, and five counts of indecent assault involving four girls in Manchester between 1965 and 1968.

The actor, who has been off the show since he was arrested in May, will now face trial in January.

Separately Michael Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster, also appeared in Manchester Crown Court where he denied 12 charges, including five of rape.

The 48-year-old actor, who is charged under his real name Michael Turner, entered a not guilty plea on three charges of indecent assault, two charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child.

The alleged offences relate to a single victim, who has not been named, are are said to have happened between 2001 and 2010.

The trial, which began today, is expected to last two weeks.

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 September 2013
Nigel Evans Quits Amid Sex Charges
Nigel Evans has resigned from his role as Deputy Commons Speaker after being charged with a number of offences, including sexual assault, indecent assault and rape. The 55-year-old is accused of two counts of indecent assault, five counts of sexual assault and one rape count, in relation to seven men.
07 June 2013
William Roache Charged With Five Counts Of Indecent Assault
William Roache has been charged with five counts of indecent assault against four girls aged between 12 and 16 during the 1960s. This is in addition to two previous charges brought in May of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.
21 May 2014
William Roache Set To Return To Coronation Street
Ken Barlow actor William Roache is to begin filming for Coronation Street, some five months after being cleared of rape and indecent assault charges. Roache has not appeared in the ITV soap opera since May of last year, after news of the charges was made public.
27 February 2015
Gary Glitter Sentenced To 16 Years
Paul Gadd, better known by his stage name, Gary Glitter, has been sentenced to 16 years in jail for the sexual abuse of three girls between 1975 and 1980. Gadd was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under 13.
11 November 2014
Gary Glitter Denies Sex Offences Charges
Gary Glitter has denied 10 charges of sex offences against three girls in the 1970s and early 80s. Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court in London. It is understood the charges include six counts of indecent assault and one charge of unlawful intercourse.