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| Stuart Hall cleared of rape but convicted of indecent assault | Stuart Hall cleared of rape but convicted of indecent assault |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Ex-BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been cleared of raping two girls. | Ex-BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been cleared of raping two girls. |
| Hall, 84, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was found not guilty of 15 charges of rape and four counts of indecent assault by a jury at Preston Crown Court. | Hall, 84, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was found not guilty of 15 charges of rape and four counts of indecent assault by a jury at Preston Crown Court. |
| He was accused of abusing the girls from the age of 12 between 1976 and 1981. Jurors found him guilty of one count of indecent assault. | He was accused of abusing the girls from the age of 12 between 1976 and 1981. Jurors found him guilty of one count of indecent assault. |
| The former It's a Knockout presenter said the sex was consensual, apart from one occasion which "never happened". | The former It's a Knockout presenter said the sex was consensual, apart from one occasion which "never happened". |
| At the beginning of the trial he admitted indecently assaulting one woman when she was aged 13. | At the beginning of the trial he admitted indecently assaulting one woman when she was aged 13. |
| The jury reached a majority decision that he was guilty of a separate indecent assault against the same woman. | The jury reached a majority decision that he was guilty of a separate indecent assault against the same woman. |
| No reaction | |
| Mr Hall was charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, where he could be charged with rape, indecent assault and unlawful sex with a girl under 16. | Mr Hall was charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, where he could be charged with rape, indecent assault and unlawful sex with a girl under 16. |
| The jury was told "no proceedings can be brought" in relation to unlawful sex with a girl aged under 16 "after 12 months had expired from the date". | The jury was told "no proceedings can be brought" in relation to unlawful sex with a girl aged under 16 "after 12 months had expired from the date". |
| But the 12-month time limit did not apply when the charges were rape or indecent assault, jurors heard. | But the 12-month time limit did not apply when the charges were rape or indecent assault, jurors heard. |
| The judge, Mr Justice Turner, said "therefore it is permissible" for the prosecution to bring the charges against Hall. | |
| The Sexual Offences Act 1956 was amended in 2003. | The Sexual Offences Act 1956 was amended in 2003. |
| Hall showed no reaction as the jury of eight women and four men delivered the verdicts after more than seven hours of deliberation. | Hall showed no reaction as the jury of eight women and four men delivered the verdicts after more than seven hours of deliberation. |
| He mouthed "thank you" to the jurors as he was led away to the cells to continue serving his sentence for earlier offences. | He mouthed "thank you" to the jurors as he was led away to the cells to continue serving his sentence for earlier offences. |
| 'Respect the verdicts' | |
| A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "The jury has listened to all the evidence from the prosecution and defence and we of course respect the verdicts they have reached." | A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "The jury has listened to all the evidence from the prosecution and defence and we of course respect the verdicts they have reached." |
| Det Ch Insp Neil Esseen said Lancashire Constabulary had "worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout and all of the evidence was subject to careful scrutiny before a decision was taken to charge, in the belief that there was a realistic prospect of conviction". | |
| "Whenever anyone comes forward to report allegations of a sexual nature, it is absolutely right that we carry out a professional investigation, which is what we have done in this case. | |
| "We have recognised and considered the views and needs of the victims throughout this investigation and we will continue to offer them whatever support they need." | |
| Hall is serving a 30-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 other girls, one as young as nine. | Hall is serving a 30-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 other girls, one as young as nine. |
| The abuse occurred between 1967 and 1985. His 15-month sentence was later extended at the Court of Appeal. | The abuse occurred between 1967 and 1985. His 15-month sentence was later extended at the Court of Appeal. |
| He will be sentenced for the new offences on 23 May. | He will be sentenced for the new offences on 23 May. |