Le Vell ‘raped girl holding teddy’

Court artist sketch of actor Michael Le Vell in the dock.

“CORONATION Street” star Michael Le Vell raped a young girl as she clutched a teddy bear, a court has been told.

The actor allegedly told the girl, “It’s OK, just keep calm, stay asleep . . . I’m going to get rid of the evil,” as he sexually abused the youngster, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Le Vell (48) began his showbusiness career at Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics at school.

The actor, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, is facing 12 charges in all — five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Le Vell, who is on trial under his real name of Michael Turner, denies the offences and shook his head saying “not guilty” in a strong voice as the charges were put to him before his trial began.

Forcing
Eleanor Laws QC, prosecuting, told the jury the abuse began when Le Vell, a heavy drinker, slipped his hand under the girl’s clothing.

Afterwards Le Vell seemed happy, “as if it was giving him pleasure”, the jury heard.
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