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BBC man sacked after conviction | BBC man sacked after conviction |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A BBC presenter who hit a teenager with a wooden pole has been sacked. | A BBC presenter who hit a teenager with a wooden pole has been sacked. |
A crown court judge has told Ashley Blake, 40, who presented Midlands Today, it was "almost inevitable" he would be jailed. | A crown court judge has told Ashley Blake, 40, who presented Midlands Today, it was "almost inevitable" he would be jailed. |
He denied attacking the youth outside a bar in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, but was convicted of wounding and perverting the course of justice. | He denied attacking the youth outside a bar in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, but was convicted of wounding and perverting the course of justice. |
A BBC spokesman said on Thursday that Blake had been dismissed with immediate effect. | A BBC spokesman said on Thursday that Blake had been dismissed with immediate effect. |
The spokesman said: "Ashley Blake was found guilty last week of two serious charges. | The spokesman said: "Ashley Blake was found guilty last week of two serious charges. |
"An internal process has resulted in Ashley's dismissal which is effective immediately." | "An internal process has resulted in Ashley's dismissal which is effective immediately." |
Blake, who also presented Inside Out, denied attacking Greg Jones, 17, outside the bar in January. | Blake, who also presented Inside Out, denied attacking Greg Jones, 17, outside the bar in January. |
Blake told Birmingham Crown Court he used the pole as a "bat" to deflect bottles and other missiles thrown at him by up to 30 people. | Blake told Birmingham Crown Court he used the pole as a "bat" to deflect bottles and other missiles thrown at him by up to 30 people. |
He had been arrested at the scene and, when interviewed by police, denied wielding the pole. | He had been arrested at the scene and, when interviewed by police, denied wielding the pole. |
He changed his story when shown CCTV footage of him fetching the pole from behind the bar. | He changed his story when shown CCTV footage of him fetching the pole from behind the bar. |
Speaking after the trial ended on 3 August, he said: "(I am) just gutted, absolutely gutted... it's all over, isn't it? My job - everything." | Speaking after the trial ended on 3 August, he said: "(I am) just gutted, absolutely gutted... it's all over, isn't it? My job - everything." |
Blake, who was remanded on bail, will be sentenced on 2 September. |