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Stuart Hall jailed for 15 months for sex assaults | Stuart Hall jailed for 15 months for sex assaults |
(35 minutes later) | |
BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for sexually abusing girls. | BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for sexually abusing girls. |
Hall, 83, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, admitted 14 offences that occurred between 1967 and 1985. | Hall, 83, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, admitted 14 offences that occurred between 1967 and 1985. |
One of the girls was nine years old when Hall assaulted her, Preston Crown Court heard. | One of the girls was nine years old when Hall assaulted her, Preston Crown Court heard. |
Judge Anthony Russell QC said Hall had a "darker side" and took advantage of his "status as a well-liked celebrity". | |
The BBC said it was "appalled" that some of Hall's crimes took place in connection with his work at the corporation. | The BBC said it was "appalled" that some of Hall's crimes took place in connection with his work at the corporation. |
The ex-BBC Radio 5 live summariser and It's A Knockout host initially insisted the allegations were "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". | The ex-BBC Radio 5 live summariser and It's A Knockout host initially insisted the allegations were "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious". |
His barrister Crispin Aylett, in mitigation, told the court the former broadcaster had "all of 13" victims compared to Jimmy Savile's 1,300. | |
'Dark side' | 'Dark side' |
But sentencing Hall, Judge Russell said: "It is clear from the victim statements that I have seen that your brazen attitude when first charged and the public protests of your innocence have added to the distress of some if not all of your victims." | |
Judge Russell said Hall had "given pleasure to millions of people" and was known for his "genial personality, charm, bonhomie and wit". | Judge Russell said Hall had "given pleasure to millions of people" and was known for his "genial personality, charm, bonhomie and wit". |
But the judge added: "There is a darker side to you, one hidden from public view until now, and a side which you were able to conceal taking advantage of your status as a well-liked celebrity." | But the judge added: "There is a darker side to you, one hidden from public view until now, and a side which you were able to conceal taking advantage of your status as a well-liked celebrity." |
The judge said for most of Hall's offences the maximum sentence at the time they were committed was two years, but the remainder carried a potential term of five years. | The judge said for most of Hall's offences the maximum sentence at the time they were committed was two years, but the remainder carried a potential term of five years. |
He added: "The maximum sentence for this type of offence has been significantly increased, since these offences were committed, to 10 years." | He added: "The maximum sentence for this type of offence has been significantly increased, since these offences were committed, to 10 years." |
The Attorney General's office said it has already had a "small number" of requests to review the sentence sentence to determine if it's "unduly lenient". | The Attorney General's office said it has already had a "small number" of requests to review the sentence sentence to determine if it's "unduly lenient". |
A decision on whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal on such grounds must be made within 28 days. | A decision on whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal on such grounds must be made within 28 days. |
Prosecuting barrister Peter Wright QC said Hall's first victim was 16 at the time of the assault, which happened in late 1967 or early 1968. | Prosecuting barrister Peter Wright QC said Hall's first victim was 16 at the time of the assault, which happened in late 1967 or early 1968. |
She met Hall when he presented her with an award at a school prizegiving and he invited the girl to record some songs at the BBC studios in Piccadilly, Manchester. | She met Hall when he presented her with an award at a school prizegiving and he invited the girl to record some songs at the BBC studios in Piccadilly, Manchester. |
'Furious father' | 'Furious father' |
The court was told Hall bought her a drink in a pub before sexually assaulting her in his car. | The court was told Hall bought her a drink in a pub before sexually assaulting her in his car. |
She burst into tears, telling her parents what had happened after Hall took her home. | She burst into tears, telling her parents what had happened after Hall took her home. |
Her angry father went to find Hall but he was nowhere to be seen. The family decided not to report the matter. | Her angry father went to find Hall but he was nowhere to be seen. The family decided not to report the matter. |
Preston Crown Court previously heard that in the 1980s Hall molested a nine-year-old girl by putting his hand up her clothing. | Preston Crown Court previously heard that 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." |
On another occasion in the 1970s he fondled the breast of a girl aged 16 or 17, the court was told. | On another occasion in the 1970s he fondled the breast of a girl aged 16 or 17, the court was told. |
Mr Aylett said his client had been arrested "as a consequence" of the investigations into Jimmy Savile, "who used young girls on a scale that is simply staggering". | Mr Aylett said his client had been arrested "as a consequence" of the investigations into Jimmy Savile, "who used young girls on a scale that is simply staggering". |
He referred to the 1,300 complainants in the Savile case and said: "Instead, in the dock today is a frightened and bewildered 83-year-old man answering for the touching - no more, no less - of all of 13, not 1,300, victims over a quarter of a century ago." | He referred to the 1,300 complainants in the Savile case and said: "Instead, in the dock today is a frightened and bewildered 83-year-old man answering for the touching - no more, no less - of all of 13, not 1,300, victims over a quarter of a century ago." |
In a statement, the corporation said: "The BBC is appalled that some of Stuart Hall's crimes took place in connection with his work at the BBC and offer an unreserved apology to the people he abused. | In a statement, the corporation said: "The BBC is appalled that some of Stuart Hall's crimes took place in connection with his work at the BBC and offer an unreserved apology to the people he abused. |
"Dame Linda Dobbs is leading a detailed investigation into Hall's conduct at the BBC and her conclusions will be published as part of the Dame Janet Smith Review later this year." | "Dame Linda Dobbs is leading a detailed investigation into Hall's conduct at the BBC and her conclusions will be published as part of the Dame Janet Smith Review later this year." |
One count of rape will lie on the court file. | One count of rape will lie on the court file. |