Soap star facing child sex trial
Reporter: Court reporter
Date published: 22 March 2013
Michael Le Vell leaves Manchester Crown Court after the hearing
Le Vell charged with 19 offences
Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell will stand trial in September on child sex charges.
The actor, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster, made his first appearance at Manchester Crown Court yesterday under his real name, Michael Turner.
The 48 year old is charged with 19 offences, including six counts of raping a child, six allegations of indecently assaulting a child and seven counts of sexual activity with a child.
The alleged offences relate to one complainant between 2001-2010.
During yesterday’s 10-minute hearing Le Vell spoke only to confirm his name. Six members of his family sat in the public gallery of the packed courtroom.
Le Vell has not entered a plea but has stated publicly that he is innocent.
A plea hearing will take place on May 17, followed by a two to three–week from September 2. Le Vell was granted bail.
Le Vell was arrested in September 2011 over alleged child sex offences, but the matter was later dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service took a second look at the evidence in January and decided there was a case in the public interest.
