This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21468687
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell charged with child rape | Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell charged with child rape |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been charged with a string of sex offences, including raping a child. | Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been charged with a string of sex offences, including raping a child. |
| Police said the 48-year-old who plays Kevin Webster in the soap is also accused of indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child. | Police said the 48-year-old who plays Kevin Webster in the soap is also accused of indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child. |
| Mr Le Vell, whose real name is Michael Turner, is due before magistrates in Manchester on 27 February. | Mr Le Vell, whose real name is Michael Turner, is due before magistrates in Manchester on 27 February. |
| In a statement released by the actor, he said he would fight the charges "vigorously". | |
| He faces a total of 19 charges relating to crimes allegedly committed between 2001 and 2010. | He faces a total of 19 charges relating to crimes allegedly committed between 2001 and 2010. |
| Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said she had reviewed a decision not to prosecute Mr Le Vell following allegations made against him in 2011. | Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said she had reviewed a decision not to prosecute Mr Le Vell following allegations made against him in 2011. |
| She said: "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences. | She said: "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences. |
| "I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child. | "I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child. |
| "Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial." | "Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial." |
| The actor, from Hale in Greater Manchester, has played the role of garage mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years, making him one of the longest-serving performers in Coronation Street. | The actor, from Hale in Greater Manchester, has played the role of garage mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years, making him one of the longest-serving performers in Coronation Street. |
| In a statement Mr Le Vell said he was innocent of all charges and would "fight them vigorously". | |
| An ITV spokesman said: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. | An ITV spokesman said: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. |
| "It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time." | "It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time." |