This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22435505
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Stuart Hall: More alleged victims to sue over abuse | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Twelve victims of broadcaster Stuart Hall are to sue over his sexual abuse, some of which allegedly happened on BBC premises, their solicitor has said. | |
Hall, 83, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to 14 offences of indecently assaulting 13 girls between 1967 and 1985. | |
Manchester law firm Pannone said it was representing victims to pursue civil cases over injuries and harm suffered. | |
Partner Alan Collins said the BBC may be included in the legal action. | |
"From the evidence so far, some of the abuse took place on BBC premises but that is not to say the BBC are liable," he said. | |
Mr Collins said proceedings were in the "very early stages" and he would be interviewing alleged victims over the next few weeks. | |
He said he would be investigating the evidence to assess whether the BBC had "vicarious liability", which mean responsibility for the "misdeeds of Mr Hall as a BBC employee". | |
"I will be looking carefully at what Stuart Hall was supposed to be doing at the time the abuse took place." | |
Mr Collins said he could not confirm whether all the victims seeking compensation formed part of the criminal court case. | |
A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has made it clear that it is appalled by the disgraceful actions of Stuart Hall and we would like to express our sympathy for his victims. | |
"We cannot however comment on specific current or future legal cases that may be related to this matter." | |
'Spurious' claims | |
The BBC has announced it is to hold a "freestanding investigation" into how broadcaster Stuart Hall was able to abuse girls while working at the corporation. | |
Dame Janet Smith is currently reviewing the culture and practices of the BBC following the Jimmy Savile scandal. | |
But a separate inquiry feeding into her report will be led by a different person because she knows someone who has been named in press reports in relation to Hall. | |
Hall was initially arrested in December and made a statement describing the claims as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". | Hall was initially arrested in December and made a statement describing the claims as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". |
But last week it emerged that he had admitted indecently assaulting girls, the youngest of which was aged nine. He will be sentenced on 17 June. | But last week it emerged that he had admitted indecently assaulting girls, the youngest of which was aged nine. He will be sentenced on 17 June. |
Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century, and was appointed OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours. | Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century, and was appointed OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours. |