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Stuart Hall trial: alleged victim 'insulted' by money motivation claim Stuart Hall trial: alleged victim 'insulted' by money motivation claim
(about 9 hours later)
An alleged victim of Stuart Hall has called claims by the defence that her legal action was motivated by money insulting and hurtful.An alleged victim of Stuart Hall has called claims by the defence that her legal action was motivated by money insulting and hurtful.
During cross-examination, Crispin Aylett QC, defending, asked the woman if she was considering seeking compensation for the sexual abuse she claims she suffered at the hands of the former BBC broadcaster.During cross-examination, Crispin Aylett QC, defending, asked the woman if she was considering seeking compensation for the sexual abuse she claims she suffered at the hands of the former BBC broadcaster.
Distressed by the question, she told jurors it had taken her a long time to talk about the incidents and "getting through this is my first thought". She said she found the sexual abuse difficult to speak about: "To do so now in this place, to – for the first time – articulate in words is extremely difficult."Distressed by the question, she told jurors it had taken her a long time to talk about the incidents and "getting through this is my first thought". She said she found the sexual abuse difficult to speak about: "To do so now in this place, to – for the first time – articulate in words is extremely difficult."
The woman, now in her late 40s, said the abuse had stayed with her all through her life and told Aylett: "I find it very insulting at this moment in time to be asked that question. It has taken me an awfully long time to do this."The woman, now in her late 40s, said the abuse had stayed with her all through her life and told Aylett: "I find it very insulting at this moment in time to be asked that question. It has taken me an awfully long time to do this."
On the fourth day of the trial, Preston Crown court heard she sought therapy in early 2013 but found it so difficult to speak about the sexual abuse that she had to resort to describing her ordeal in a series of emails to a psychologist. She said she sought therapy, concerned that she was "unable to wholly commit" or trust in relationships. She told the court: "I wanted to make sure I was not making the same mistakes."On the fourth day of the trial, Preston Crown court heard she sought therapy in early 2013 but found it so difficult to speak about the sexual abuse that she had to resort to describing her ordeal in a series of emails to a psychologist. She said she sought therapy, concerned that she was "unable to wholly commit" or trust in relationships. She told the court: "I wanted to make sure I was not making the same mistakes."
The woman, who claims Hall first raped her aged 12 against a stable wall, said the memory of the incident haunts her and she would wake up at night dreaming about the rape. She alleges that Hall raped and indecently assaulted her.The woman, who claims Hall first raped her aged 12 against a stable wall, said the memory of the incident haunts her and she would wake up at night dreaming about the rape. She alleges that Hall raped and indecently assaulted her.
She said the abuse had "stayed with me all though my life. I've had to carry on as normal" and told the court "when your life changes, in a blink of an eye, there's certain things you have to do". Asked by Aylett why she repeatedly returned to the BBC studios where she alleges she was raped on up to eight occasions in each of the two locations in Manchester – Piccadilly and Oxford Road – she replied: "I chose to contain it myself so that meant I'd behave in as normal a way as possible. If that meant going to the BBC, it meant going to the BBC."She said the abuse had "stayed with me all though my life. I've had to carry on as normal" and told the court "when your life changes, in a blink of an eye, there's certain things you have to do". Asked by Aylett why she repeatedly returned to the BBC studios where she alleges she was raped on up to eight occasions in each of the two locations in Manchester – Piccadilly and Oxford Road – she replied: "I chose to contain it myself so that meant I'd behave in as normal a way as possible. If that meant going to the BBC, it meant going to the BBC."
She said that saying no to the visits would have raised questions. She also said she was ashamed of the sexual abuse and was afraid declining the arranged visits would mean telling her family about the events.She said that saying no to the visits would have raised questions. She also said she was ashamed of the sexual abuse and was afraid declining the arranged visits would mean telling her family about the events.
She said she felt shocked and upset upon finding out there had been "so many women, so many girls of that age".She said she felt shocked and upset upon finding out there had been "so many women, so many girls of that age".
Jurors heard how the woman found it "shaming, dirty and shocking" that as she grew older, her body would respond to the stimulation by Hall. "It's even worse if something responds and you do not wish it to," she said. Talking about the years of sexual abuse she claims she suffered at the hands of Hall, she said: "The whole thing made me feel cheap."Jurors heard how the woman found it "shaming, dirty and shocking" that as she grew older, her body would respond to the stimulation by Hall. "It's even worse if something responds and you do not wish it to," she said. Talking about the years of sexual abuse she claims she suffered at the hands of Hall, she said: "The whole thing made me feel cheap."
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, asked the victim if Hall had ever apologised to her? "No," she answered. Asked what his reaction was to what he'd done to her, she replied: "Remorseless". "I never said stop and that's something I have to live with," she told the court. "I felt responsible. I felt guilty. I felt it was my fault."Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, asked the victim if Hall had ever apologised to her? "No," she answered. Asked what his reaction was to what he'd done to her, she replied: "Remorseless". "I never said stop and that's something I have to live with," she told the court. "I felt responsible. I felt guilty. I felt it was my fault."
She described the former radio and TV presenter as charming and "very successful at getting what he wanted" but said his attention towards her had not made her feel special at any time. She also said in a previous statement that she thought everyone at the BBC looked up to him.She described the former radio and TV presenter as charming and "very successful at getting what he wanted" but said his attention towards her had not made her feel special at any time. She also said in a previous statement that she thought everyone at the BBC looked up to him.
During a cross-examination – lasting more than two hours – the victim told the court she felt "physically sick" having to recall the events in detail and at the suggestion that the sexual contact between herself and Hall could have gone on after her sixteenth birthday. Previously she had been adamant that the abuse had carried on up to the age of 16. She then asked to leave the court, visibly shaken at the thought that the abuse could have lasted longer than she initially believed.
The former It's a Knockout star denies raping and indecently assaulting two girls, one under the age of 13. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1 January 1976 and 30 September 1978. Hall has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault. The trial continues.The former It's a Knockout star denies raping and indecently assaulting two girls, one under the age of 13. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 1 January 1976 and 30 September 1978. Hall has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault. The trial continues.