This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/15/coronation-street-drops-michael-le-vell
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Coronation Street drops actor charged with child sex offences | Coronation Street drops actor charged with child sex offences |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been dropped from any further episodes of the ITV soap after being charged with a string of sex offences. | The Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been dropped from any further episodes of the ITV soap after being charged with a string of sex offences. |
| Le Vell, who has played the car mechanic Kevin Webster over the past 30 years, will appear in court in two weeks' time and has said he will "vigorously" fight the charges, which include child rape. | Le Vell, who has played the car mechanic Kevin Webster over the past 30 years, will appear in court in two weeks' time and has said he will "vigorously" fight the charges, which include child rape. |
| He was first arrested in September 2011 and the matter was later dropped. He vowed to put the allegations behind him and, following a short break from the show, his character is currently involved in some of the soap's main storylines. | He was first arrested in September 2011 and the matter was later dropped. He vowed to put the allegations behind him and, following a short break from the show, his character is currently involved in some of the soap's main storylines. |
| An ITV 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." | An ITV 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." |
| Greater Manchester police said on Thursday night that the actor, who is from Hale, Cheshire, and whose real name is Michael Turner, had been charged after a review of evidence by Crown Prosecution Service lawyers. | Greater Manchester police said on Thursday night that the actor, who is from Hale, Cheshire, and whose real name is Michael Turner, had been charged after a review of evidence by Crown Prosecution Service lawyers. |
| He is accused of 19 child sex offences including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child. He will appear at Manchester magistrates court on 27 February. | He is accused of 19 child sex offences including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child. He will appear at Manchester magistrates court on 27 February. |
| Le Vell, a 48-year-old father of two, said in a statement on Friday: "I would like to make it quite clear that I am innocent of these charges and intend to fight them vigorously. | Le Vell, a 48-year-old father of two, said in a statement on Friday: "I would like to make it quite clear that I am innocent of these charges and intend to fight them vigorously. |
| "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. I would ask now for time to concentrate on preparing my defence with my legal team." | "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. I would ask now for time to concentrate on preparing my defence with my legal team." |
| In late December when the case was dropped, the authorities said there was not enough evidence to charge him. At the time Le Vell said he was delighted to have been "completely exonerated", and thanked police for their "thorough" investigation and Coronation Street staff and the public for their support. | In late December when the case was dropped, the authorities said there was not enough evidence to charge him. At the time Le Vell said he was delighted to have been "completely exonerated", and thanked police for their "thorough" investigation and Coronation Street staff and the public for their support. |
| Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the director of public prosecutions, reviewed a file of evidence and looked again at the decision not to prosecute. | Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the director of public prosecutions, reviewed a file of evidence and looked again at the decision not to prosecute. |
| She said: "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. | She said: "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. Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial." | "I have authorised Greater Manchester police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child. Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial." |
| Le Vell, originally from Manchester, began his acting career in the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school. | Le Vell, originally from Manchester, began his acting career in the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school. |
| He first joined the soap in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally and fathering two teenage girls as well as a child from his affair with Molly Dobbs. | He first joined the soap in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally and fathering two teenage girls as well as a child from his affair with Molly Dobbs. |
| The actor split from his wife Janette Beverley last year. | The actor split from his wife Janette Beverley last year. |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |