Michael Le Vell

Michael Le Vell, the former Coronation Street actor who is being tried for 12 child sex offences, could have been handed a life-line as the court statement from one of the accusing girls was deemed "inconsistent" by the actor's solicitor. Le Vell, who is on trial under his real name, Michael Turner, denies all charges of sexual abuse to the underage girls.

Le Vell prior to his three day trial

Although the accuser's lawyer stated that the allegedly abused girl had "no reason to lie," Le Vell's defence were steadfast in their claims that her stories struggled to make sense. The accusing girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons surrounding her age, claims that she was repeatedly abused by the Coronation Street actor, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the show, from the age of six until she was fourteen.

Continue reading: Corrie Actor Michael Le Vell's Accuser Deemed "Inconsistent" In Statement

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell was in court today facing 19 charges of sexual offences against a child, with the actor pleading not guilty to all charges brought against him. The actor, real name Michael Turner, played mechanic Kevin Webster on the long-running soap opera for nearly 30 years, making him one of the longest serving actors on the show.

The actor began his stint at Manchester Crown Court today (May 17) to face charges stemming between 2001 and 2010, during which time he is alleged to have committed at least 19 separate acts of sexual abuse to minors. These alleged charges include six counts of rape, six of indecent assault and seven of sexually touching minors. Appearing under his real name the actor denied each charge brought to him.

Le Vell, a native of Hale, Cheshire, was first accused of sexually assaulting a minor in September 2011, but the inquiry was dropped due to lack of evidence after the actor had been questioned by police. The charges soon reemerged though and in January this year when the Crown Prosecution Service decided to review the evidence and found ample suggestion to link Le Vell with the charges. He was released on bail following questioning. The Corrie actor has been absent from the show since the charges reemerged earlier this year, with ITV saying that he will continue to remain absent from the show until the charges have been resolved.

Continue reading: Coronation Street's Michael Le Vell Pleads Not Guilty To Child Sex Abuse Claims

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache appeared at Preston Magistrates Court on Tuesday (May 14, 2013) accused of raping a 15-year-old girl. The 81-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow since the legendary soap's launch, is charged with two counts of rape dating back to 1967. Photographers and journalists jostled for position outside court today as Roache smiled and even signed a couple of autographs in the public waiting area before stepping into the courtroom.

Dressed in a navy suit with striped blue shirt and white tie, Roache appeared relaxed and yawned as he waited for proceedings to begin, reports The Sun. He was led to the witness box where he confirmed his full name, address and date of birth. The actor made no statement as he left the court and was driven back to his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

After his arrest on May 1, Roache said he was "astounded and deeply horrified by the extraordinary events" of the accusations. "I strenuously deny the allegations and will now focus my full attention on fighting to preserve my innocence in the challenging times ahead," he said, adding, "I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those people who have offered me their support and good wishes at this difficult time."

Continue reading: Coronation Street's Bill Roache Attends Court, Accused Of Raping Girl, 15

Andrew Lancel, a former actor in the long-running British soap Coronation Street, has denied that he sexually assaulted a teenage boy.

Lancel – 42 year-old and real name Andrew Watkinson – was charged last November over the alleged offence, which relates to one apparent victim and six counts of indecent assault of a child under the age of 15 between 1993 and 1994. Lancel hails from Gateacre in Liverpool and, as the Sun reports, it was Liverpool Crown Court where he had his hearing, during which he pled not guilty to all six counts of the sexually-based indecencies.

Lancel’s career has been somewhat of a stuttering success, although he can also count long-running Police-based soap The Bill on his list of acting credits. He appeared on Coronation Street for around two years, playing the role of Frank Foster between 2010 and 2012, when his storyline character was found murdered. Among the rest of his career ‘highlights’ are a one-off appearance in Midsomer Murders and a place in Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes, during which he performed as A-ha singer Morten Harket and won. At the court at the weekend he was granted bail until his five-day trial starts on June 3.

Continue reading: Former Coronation Street Actor Andrew Lancel Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault

Former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel has denied child sex charges, pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage boy at Liverpool Crown Court this week. Lancel, 42, real name Andrew Watkinson, is accused of six counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 15, reports BBC News.

The actor, who played Frank Foster in the long-running ITV soap, has been charged in relation to one male victim, with the alleged offence taking place between 1993 and 1994, the court heard. Mr Lancel was granted bail until his trial starts on June 2, 2013. He appeared in Coronation Street between January 2011, until March 2012, playing a role in several of the major storylines at the time.

The trail comes as fellow Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell awaits his child sex trial in early September. Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster in the soap, faces 19 child sex charges, including rape. The offenses allegedly took place between 2001 and 2010. He split from his wife, Janette Beverley, last year. Mr Le Vell has always maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. 

Continue reading: Coronation Street Actor Andrew Lancel Denies Sexually Assaulting Boy, 15

Michael Le Vell could be back on our screens in Coronation Street as early as Christmas, if he is found not guilty of the child sex offences for which he is due to go on trial. Le Vell, real name Michael Robert Turner plays the role of Kevin Webster on the popular UK soap but he was removed from the show’s storylines as soon as he was arrested again on 19 child sex charges.

Yesterday, the actor joked with fans and photographers outside the court, after learning in a brief hearing that his new trial date had been set for September 2, 2013. Le Vell looked relaxed and he received encouragement from those outside waiting to wish him well. One shouted “Go on, Kevin, lad,” referring to his on-screen character, to which LeVell gave a thumbs-up sign. The actor then spoke to the photographers, saying “it’s a nice early finish for you guys.”

A source told The Sun that LeVell is hopeful that he will be back working on the soap if his name is cleared and it seems that the show’s producers will take him back on in that eventuality. “Michael has been told that once the court case is over, if he has been cleared, then he will be back filming on the show as quickly as he wants. It’s given him something to focus on and has made him more ­positive. He has a spring in his step. Ideally, he wants to be back this side of Christmas.” 

Continue reading: Back In Time For Christmas? Michael Le Vell Could Be Back On Corrie If HIs Name Is Cleared

Michael Le Vell, the Coronation Street actor, has appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today, charged with child sex offences. Le Vell, whose real name is Michael Turner, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, the Daily mail reports. Four of his family members sat at the rear of the courtroom, on seats usually reserved for officials, as the public gallery was full of media reporters.

Le Vell has played the role of car mechanic Kevin Webster in the popular ITV soap for over 30 years. The show’s bosses have confirmed that he will not appear in future episodes until the legal proceedings are no longer under way. The 48 year-old actor denies the charges that have been brought against him. He is accused of six counts of raping a child, six allegations of indecently assaulting a child and seven counts of sexual activity with a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2001 and 2010 and all charges relate to just one complainant.

The actor – who was originally accused of these charges in 2011 but cleared – has been bailed on the condition that he surrenders his passport. He is also not allowed unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 14 and is not allowed to contact any of the named witnesses. He will appear at Manchester Crown Court on March 20, 2013. 

Continue reading: Manchester Court Appearance For Michael Le Vell, Coronation Street Actor Accused Of Child Sex Offences

Sexual abuse scandals are, regrettably, becoming increasingly common in the British entertainment scene. The latest, Michael Le Vell – who plays Kevin Webster in the much-loved soap Coronation Street – has vowed to clear his name.

"I will now put all my efforts into clearing my name and proving my innocence. I thank my friends, family and fans for their continued support,” said Le Vell in a statement.” I would ask now for time to concentrate on preparing my defence with my legal team." In a statement released to the Press Association, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "A man has been charged with 19 child sex offences. Michael Turner,” Le Vell’s real name, “of Byrom Street, Hale, has been charged with 19 offences including raping a child, indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child. He is due to appear at Manchester magistrates (court) on Wednesday, Feb. 27."

Le Vell was actually arrested back in September 2011 but prosecutors ruled at the time that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a charge. He released a similar statement, thanking his friends and family for their support, and, at the time, was delighted to "completely exonerated". The Sun report that scandal lead to the break up of his relationship with his actress wife Janette Beverley.

Manchester actor Michael Le Vell has been dropped by Coronation Street after being charged with 19 child sex offences, including child rape and sexual activity with a child between 2001 and 2010, reports the BBC. Le Vell, 48, who played garage owner Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, is due to appear in court on February 27, 2013.

The father-of-two, who split with his wife last year, strenuously denies the charges. "I would like to make it quite clear that following the serious allegations that have been brought against me on Thursday 14th February 2013, I am innocent of these charges and intend to fight them vigorously," he said in a statement, "I will now put all my efforts into clearing my name and proving my innocence." The actor was initially arrested in connection with the offences in September, though Coronation Street producers have now taken the decision to axe Le Vell. A spokesman said, "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

The initial investigation was dropped when authorities said there was not enough evidence to prosecute, though it's likely Greater Manchester Police has been building its case since. Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, reviewed a new file of evidence and said in a statement, "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences."

The actor Martin Le Vell (real name Michael Turner) has been dropped from ITV soap opera Coronation Street after being accused of 19 sexual offences, including raping a child. According to The Independent, ITV have stated that Le Vell, 48, has been pulled from the series, in which he plays the boss of the local garage, Kevin Webster.

Le Vell was first arrested over allegations of sexual offences, back in September 2011. The charges were dropped but Alison Levitt, QC, the principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed a file of evidence in relation to the claims and deemed that there was enough evidence to prosecute Le Vell. Levitt stated “I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences. I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child.”

He will appear in court in two weeks’ time, Greater Manchester Police confirmed, on Wednesday February 27, 2013. The offences relates to incidences between 2001 and 2010. Le Vell is a father of two and has been a stalwart of the Coronation Street cast, playing the role of Kevin Webster for the last 30 years. He split from his wife Janette Beverley last year. 

Continue reading: ITV Confirm Michael Le Vell Dropped From Coronation Street Following Child Rape Accusation