Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell cleared of child rape
10 Sep 2013 15:18
The 48-year-old was today found not guilty of a string of sexual offences against a young girl
Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has been cleared of raping a child.
Mr Le Vell, 48, from Hale in Cheshire, had denied five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
One one occasion he was accused of raping the girl as she clutched her teddy bear.
Today a jury found him not guilty of all charges.
The verdict was delivered on day seven of the Corrie star's trial at Manchester Crown Court as the jurors finished their second day of deliberations.
Cleared Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell made a short statement before being driven away from court.
Smiling with relief and embraced by supporters, some of whom cheered and applauded as he emerged from the building, the star said: "It's a big weight off everyone's shoulders. I'd just like to thank my fantastic legal team, my family for the support, my security and I'd like to thank ITV for their continued support throughout this traumatic time for all of us. Thank you all for being patient - I might go and have a drink now."
Michael Le Vell cleared
The actor, who vehemently denied the sex charges he faced, said he hoped to return to Coronation Street soon, but 'might have a holiday' first.
Members of the public gathered opposite Manchester Crown Court in the moments before Mr Le Vell emerged from the building, preceded by two police officers.
The actor's exit from the building was snapped by photographers as he was surrounded by reporters.
Real-life courtroom drama outstrips any TV script
Michael Le Vell's seven days in court provided an insight into the actor's 'troubled' life
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell hugged by his sister Sue after he was cleared of child sex offences
He had told his trial that in September 2011 he was told by his accuser’s mother that: ‘she’s made an allegation against you - she’s accusing you of raping her’.
He told the jurors: "I just stood there and said, tell me you’re f****** joking. She said ‘no’. I said ‘tell me you're f****** joking. She said ‘no’. My legs, they just seriously started to wobble. I was stunned and shocked."
He was asked by his barrister, Alisdair Williamson, defending, if he had committed any of the crimes of which he was accused.
“No, I promise you, never in a million years would I do anything like that, never", he told the jury.
Asked how he felt about the allegations, he replied: "How do I feel? I’m devastated, lost. I don’t understand where it’s come from. It’s left such a big hole in my life because of these allegations. I’m like a lost soul and I still want to get to the bottom of why this has happened to me, why I’m being accused of things, because I know none of it happened and I have been walking around for the last two years just not knowing.”
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