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Coronation Street's Le Vell cleared of child rape Coronation Street's Le Vell cleared of child rape
(35 minutes later)
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been cleared of a number of sex abuse charges, including rape. Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been cleared of a number of child sex abuse charges, including rape.
Mr Le Vell, 48, of Hale, Greater Manchester, had denied 12 charges in total, telling the jury he was "fighting for his life".Mr Le Vell, 48, of Hale, Greater Manchester, had denied 12 charges in total, telling the jury he was "fighting for his life".
His accuser, who cannot be named, claimed she was abused from the age of six until she was 14.His accuser, who cannot be named, claimed she was abused from the age of six until she was 14.
Speaking outside court, he thanked his family and ITV for their support. He is now expected to return to the soap.Speaking outside court, he thanked his family and ITV for their support. He is now expected to return to the soap.
'Two years of hell''Two years of hell'
Mr Le Vell, who has played garage mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years, was tried at Manchester Crown Court under his real name Michael Turner.Mr Le Vell, who has played garage mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years, was tried at Manchester Crown Court under his real name Michael Turner.
The jury of eight women and four men took just over four hours to return verdicts of not guilty on all counts.The jury of eight women and four men took just over four hours to return verdicts of not guilty on all counts.
The actor had also faced charges of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.The actor had also faced charges of indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
As the verdicts were read out, Mr Le Vell nodded to the jury and mouthed "thank you" as relatives in court sobbed.
As he left the court he said he was "delighted" and that the result was "a weight off everyone's shoulders".As he left the court he said he was "delighted" and that the result was "a weight off everyone's shoulders".
Mr Le Vell's friend and former Coronation Street star Nigel Pivaro, who played Terry Duckworth, said: "He has suffered two years of hell and, probably due to his high profile, far more than most.Mr Le Vell's friend and former Coronation Street star Nigel Pivaro, who played Terry Duckworth, said: "He has suffered two years of hell and, probably due to his high profile, far more than most.
"Now the jury has spoken, he can pick up his career and his life.""Now the jury has spoken, he can pick up his career and his life."
Mr Le Vell is now expected to return to the soap.Mr Le Vell is now expected to return to the soap.
An ITV spokesman said: "We are looking forward to meeting with Michael to discuss his return to the programme."An ITV spokesman said: "We are looking forward to meeting with Michael to discuss his return to the programme."
His accuser, now aged 17, had told the court he had raped her while putting a teddy bear over her mouth to keep her quiet.His accuser, 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".She alleged that he had told her he was "just getting rid of all the evil and bad inside me".
But Alisdair Williamson, for the defence, said her evidence was "inconsistent" and "unbelievable" with an "agonising lack of detail".But Alisdair Williamson, for the defence, said her evidence was "inconsistent" and "unbelievable" with an "agonising lack of detail".
'Dark secret''Dark secret'
During the trial Mr Le Vell admitted he was an alcoholic who had a series of one-night stands throughout his 25-year marriage.During the trial Mr Le Vell admitted he was an alcoholic who had a series of one-night stands throughout his 25-year marriage.
Mr Williamson told the jury that while Mr Le Vell might be described as a "weak, stupid and drunk man" and a "bad husband", he was not a child rapist.Mr Williamson told the jury that while Mr Le Vell might be described as a "weak, stupid and drunk man" and a "bad husband", 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.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, Mr Le Vell was re-arrested and charged in February 2013.However, after a review of the evidence following fresh allegations by the girl, Mr Le Vell was re-arrested and charged in February 2013.
During the trial he told the court: "I'm like a lost soul and I still want to get to the bottom of why this has happened to me and why I'm being accused of this because I know none of this happened. The CPS said the decision to prosecute Mr Le Vell was taken after officials concluded there was "sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction".
"Never in a million years would I do anything like that." A spokesperson said: "As these were very serious allegations of child sexual abuse it therefore followed that it was in the public interest to place that evidence before a jury at court.
"It is for the jury to determine whether a defendant is guilty or not and we of course respect the verdicts they have reached today."
During the trial, Mr Le Vell told the court he was "like a lost soul" who wanted to know why he was being accused.
"Never in a million years would I do anything like that," he said.
Mr Le Vell first joined Coronation Street in 1983 and his character Kevin Webster proved popular with fans throughout his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor.Mr Le Vell first joined Coronation Street in 1983 and his character Kevin Webster proved popular with fans throughout his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor.
He did not appear in any episodes of the soap during the legal proceedings.He did not appear in any episodes of the soap during the legal proceedings.