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Bill Roache to face trial in January Bill Roache to face trial in January
(about 3 hours later)
Coronation Street star Bill Roache will go on trial in January over allegations of historic sexual offences against five girls. The Coronation Street star Bill Roache will go on trial in January over allegations of historic sexual offences against five girls.
The 81-year-old actor was charged in May with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967, and last week he faced fresh charges of five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16.The 81-year-old actor was charged in May with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967, and last week he faced fresh charges of five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16.
On Monday, Roache appeared for a five-minute preliminary hearing at Preston crown court. His trial date was set for 13 January. On Monday, Roache appeared for a five-minute preliminary hearing at Preston crown court. His trial date was set for 13 January. He was bailed until his next court appearance on 2 September, when he will enter formal pleas.
He was bailed until his next court appearance on 2 September when he will enter formal pleas.
Last week, Roache's lawyer said his client was looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" over "deeply upsetting" child sex allegations.Last week, Roache's lawyer said his client was looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" over "deeply upsetting" child sex allegations.
The world's longest-serving soap actor has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since its launch but will not be appearing in the programme until legal proceedings are concluded.The world's longest-serving soap actor has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since its launch but will not be appearing in the programme until legal proceedings are concluded.
On Monday he entered the dock and spoke only to confirm his full name.On Monday he entered the dock and spoke only to confirm his full name.
He was granted conditional bail by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, and was warned he could face arrest if he does not attend his next court date. He was granted conditional bail by the recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, and was warned he could face arrest if he does not attend his next court date.
The latest claims arose from the publicity over his arrest at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on 1 May, and his subsequent charging on the same day.The latest claims arose from the publicity over his arrest at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on 1 May, and his subsequent charging on the same day.
The fresh charges, which relate to separate alleged victims, are said to have been committed in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968. The fresh alleged offences, which relate to separate alleged victims, are said to have been committed in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968.
Roache is on bail with various conditions including residence, no direct unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 and not to approach named witnesses.Roache is on bail with various conditions including residence, no direct unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 and not to approach named witnesses.
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