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Stuart Hall will not give evidence at rape trial Stuart Hall will not give evidence at rape trial
(about 2 hours later)
The broadcaster Stuart Hall has turned down the opportunity to give evidence at his trial on sex charges. The broadcaster Stuart Hall has turned down the opportunity to give evidence at his trial on allegations of rape and indecent assault.
His barrister, Crispin Aylett QC, told the jury at Preston crown court that his client would not be going into the witness box to defend himself against allegations of rape and indecent assault. His barrister, Crispin Aylett QC, told the jury at Preston crown court that his client would not be going into the witness box to defend himself against the charges – as is his right.
Hall, 84, is already serving a 30-month prison term for a series of sex attacks on underage girls.Hall, 84, is already serving a 30-month prison term for a series of sex attacks on underage girls.
On Monday, his defence against a second wave of allegations by two women began with him still sitting in the glass-panelled dock.On Monday, his defence against a second wave of allegations by two women began with him still sitting in the glass-panelled dock.
Aylett began the afternoon session by telling Mr Justice Turner: "If it please your lordship, I am not intending to call Mr Hall to give evidence." Mr Aylett began the afternoon session by telling Mr Justice Turner: "If it please your lordship, I am not intending to call Mr Hall to give evidence."
He confirmed that he had advised his client about the effect of his decision and the inference the jury would be entitled to draw.He confirmed that he had advised his client about the effect of his decision and the inference the jury would be entitled to draw.
Earlier, the jury heard that Hall had told police he was surprised when confronted with fresh sexual assault allegations made by two women.Earlier, the jury heard that Hall had told police he was surprised when confronted with fresh sexual assault allegations made by two women.
He added that it was "of serious concern" that they had, he said, waited nearly 12 months after he was arrested over other allegations, to make their claims, which he denied.He added that it was "of serious concern" that they had, he said, waited nearly 12 months after he was arrested over other allegations, to make their claims, which he denied.
Hall, 84, has pleaded not guilty at Preston crown court to 20 charges of rape and indecent assault between 1976 and 1981 against two young girls. Hall has pleaded not guilty at Preston crown court to 20 charges of rape and indecent assault between 1976 and 1981 against two young girls.
It is said the former It's a Knockout presenter groomed his victims and plied them with alcohol before he raped them.It is said the former It's a Knockout presenter groomed his victims and plied them with alcohol before he raped them.
One of the complainants said Hall raped her when she was aged 12 at a stables and again at various locations, including at BBC studios, when she was 14 and 15.One of the complainants said Hall raped her when she was aged 12 at a stables and again at various locations, including at BBC studios, when she was 14 and 15.
The other alleged victim said she was raped on numerous occasions at the same Manchester studios at Piccadilly and Oxford Road when she was aged between 14 and 16.The other alleged victim said she was raped on numerous occasions at the same Manchester studios at Piccadilly and Oxford Road when she was aged between 14 and 16.
Hall said the rape at the stables did not take place, while other sexual contact was consensual. He has admitted to indecently assaulting the second complainant when she was aged 13.Hall said the rape at the stables did not take place, while other sexual contact was consensual. He has admitted to indecently assaulting the second complainant when she was aged 13.
The jury has heard the first complainant, Girl A, contacted a firm of solicitors on 5 June last year – a month after it entered the public domain that Hall had pleaded guilty to 14 offences involving 13 young girls.The jury has heard the first complainant, Girl A, contacted a firm of solicitors on 5 June last year – a month after it entered the public domain that Hall had pleaded guilty to 14 offences involving 13 young girls.
Two days later she contacted police and went on to make a witness statement on 7 August.Two days later she contacted police and went on to make a witness statement on 7 August.
Girl B was asked by police in December 2012 – when Hall was initially arrested in the first investigation – whether she would make a witness statement in relation to a complainant but she said she did not want to become involved.Girl B was asked by police in December 2012 – when Hall was initially arrested in the first investigation – whether she would make a witness statement in relation to a complainant but she said she did not want to become involved.
Girl B made her first contact with the police over her own allegations on 12 July last year, the jury was told. She gave video recorded interviews in the days that followed.Girl B made her first contact with the police over her own allegations on 12 July last year, the jury was told. She gave video recorded interviews in the days that followed.
Last October, Hall was interviewed about the new allegations. After he was formally cautioned, Hall's solicitor read out a statement on his behalf in which the defendant said he had accepted legal advice not to answer any questions put to him regarding the accusations.Last October, Hall was interviewed about the new allegations. After he was formally cautioned, Hall's solicitor read out a statement on his behalf in which the defendant said he had accepted legal advice not to answer any questions put to him regarding the accusations.
In his statement, Hall said he had known both complainants for a number of years.In his statement, Hall said he had known both complainants for a number of years.
He continued: "I am surprised by the nature of their allegations and I deny them. I am concerned that they have been made only after I pleaded guilty to a number of offences and then was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.He continued: "I am surprised by the nature of their allegations and I deny them. I am concerned that they have been made only after I pleaded guilty to a number of offences and then was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
"It is only now at the end of October that I am being interviewed about these allegations."It is only now at the end of October that I am being interviewed about these allegations.
"[Girl B] spoke to the police in December 2012 before I was charged with the offence in relation to [the victim from first court case] and at that time declined to assist the police."[Girl B] spoke to the police in December 2012 before I was charged with the offence in relation to [the victim from first court case] and at that time declined to assist the police.
"Thereafter [Girl B] offered her support to me.""Thereafter [Girl B] offered her support to me."
He said it should be noted that Girl A had approached a firm of personal injury solicitors before going to the police.He said it should be noted that Girl A had approached a firm of personal injury solicitors before going to the police.
Hall continued: "I am now approaching my 84th birthday and my health understandably continues to deteriorate.Hall continued: "I am now approaching my 84th birthday and my health understandably continues to deteriorate.
"It is of serious concern that these two complainants have waited nearly 12 months after I was arrested [in December 2012] to make their allegation and in the light of extensive media coverage I do not think it possible to have a fair trial.""It is of serious concern that these two complainants have waited nearly 12 months after I was arrested [in December 2012] to make their allegation and in the light of extensive media coverage I do not think it possible to have a fair trial."
He was subsequently charged and made no comment.He was subsequently charged and made no comment.
Hall was jailed last year for 15 months after he admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls, aged from nine to 17.Hall was jailed last year for 15 months after he admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls, aged from nine to 17.
The sentence was increased to 30 months by the court of appeal after the attorney general argued it was unduly lenient.The sentence was increased to 30 months by the court of appeal after the attorney general argued it was unduly lenient.
The prosecution case has ended and the defence case is due to start on Monday afternoon.The prosecution case has ended and the defence case is due to start on Monday afternoon.