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Stuart Hall released from prison halfway through sentence | Stuart Hall released from prison halfway through sentence |
(35 minutes later) | |
The former broadcaster Stuart Hall has been released from jail after serving half of his sentence for sexual abuse. | The former broadcaster Stuart Hall has been released from jail after serving half of his sentence for sexual abuse. |
The It's a Knockout presenter was imprisoned in 2013 after admitting indecently assaulting 13 girls - one as young as nine - between 1967 and 1985. | The It's a Knockout presenter was imprisoned in 2013 after admitting indecently assaulting 13 girls - one as young as nine - between 1967 and 1985. |
His sentence was extended in 2014 when he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a teenage girl. | His sentence was extended in 2014 when he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a teenage girl. |
Hall, 85, previously worked for BBC Radio 5 live and presented the BBC's regional north west news programme. | |
His original 15-month sentence in 2013 was doubled by the Court of Appeal after the judge said it had been "unduly lenient" given the impact on his victims. | His original 15-month sentence in 2013 was doubled by the Court of Appeal after the judge said it had been "unduly lenient" given the impact on his victims. |
Hall, who lived in Wilmslow, Cheshire, received an additional two years and six months over the later charges. | Hall, who lived in Wilmslow, Cheshire, received an additional two years and six months over the later charges. |
The Ministry of Justice said: "Offenders automatically released on licence at the halfway point of their sentence are subject to strict controls. | The Ministry of Justice said: "Offenders automatically released on licence at the halfway point of their sentence are subject to strict controls. |
"If they fail to comply with these conditions, or their behaviour indicates it is no longer safe for them to remain in the community, they can be immediately returned to prison." | "If they fail to comply with these conditions, or their behaviour indicates it is no longer safe for them to remain in the community, they can be immediately returned to prison." |
The broadcaster was initially arrested in December 2012, when he made a statement labelling the claims against him as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". | The broadcaster was initially arrested in December 2012, when he made a statement labelling the claims against him as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". |
But Preston Crown Court heard the former It's a Knockout host was an "opportunistic predator" who used his fame to befriend girls. | But Preston Crown Court heard the former It's a Knockout host was an "opportunistic predator" who used his fame to befriend girls. |
Judge Anthony Russell QC said Hall had a "darker side" and took advantage of his "status as a well-liked celebrity". | Judge Anthony Russell QC said Hall had a "darker side" and took advantage of his "status as a well-liked celebrity". |
Among Hall's victims was a 16-year-old girl he had presented with an award at a school prize-giving. | Among Hall's victims was a 16-year-old girl he had presented with an award at a school prize-giving. |
He later bought her a drink in a pub before sexually assaulting her in his car, the court heard. | He later bought her a drink in a pub before sexually assaulting her in his car, the court heard. |
In the 1980s Hall molested a nine-year-old girl by putting his hand up her clothing. | In the 1980s Hall molested a nine-year-old girl by putting his hand up her clothing. |
He also kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips after saying to her: "People need to show thanks in other ways." | He also kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips after saying to her: "People need to show thanks in other ways." |
Hall was stripped of his OBE by the Queen after he was imprisoned. | Hall was stripped of his OBE by the Queen after he was imprisoned. |