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)

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