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Fred Talbot trial halted after he is injured in witness box fall | Fred Talbot trial halted after he is injured in witness box fall |
(35 minutes later) | |
The trial of former TV weather presenter Fred Talbot has been halted after he was injured when he tripped while leaving the witness box. | |
The 65-year-old was helped from the court by ushers with a bleeding wound on his forehead and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary. | The 65-year-old was helped from the court by ushers with a bleeding wound on his forehead and was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary. |
He had started giving evidence at his trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on charges of historical indecent assaults on underage boys. | |
He denies all 10 counts. | He denies all 10 counts. |
In Court: BBC North West Tonight's reporter Mark Edwardson | In Court: BBC North West Tonight's reporter Mark Edwardson |
There were audible gasps when Mr Talbot lost his footing as he left the witness box during a recess in proceedings. | There were audible gasps when Mr Talbot lost his footing as he left the witness box during a recess in proceedings. |
He hit his head on a table, leaving a bleeding wound on his forehead. He appeared unconscious for a short time. | |
The court was cleared while Mr Talbot was given first aid after the fall at about 11:50 GMT. | |
A short time later an ambulance siren was heard outside the court and he was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for treatment. | |
Mr Talbot, from Bowdon, Greater Manchester pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting five underage boys between the late 1960s and the early 1980s during his former career as a teacher. | |
'Sheer misery' | 'Sheer misery' |
The jury was later called back in by Judge Timothy Mort and told that proceedings were adjourned and, "fingers crossed", would resume on Wednesday. | The jury was later called back in by Judge Timothy Mort and told that proceedings were adjourned and, "fingers crossed", would resume on Wednesday. |
Mr Talbot had been in the box for about 20 minutes, during which time his barrister, Suzanne Goddard QC, asked him about his sexuality, early life and career. | |
She asked him when he realised he was homosexual, to which he replied 14. | She asked him when he realised he was homosexual, to which he replied 14. |
He told the court: "When I was in the sixth form a few people guessed and made my life a sheer misery." | He told the court: "When I was in the sixth form a few people guessed and made my life a sheer misery." |
The court heard he had a girlfriend when he was 16 and had "one-night stands" with girls during his teenage years, but he added he had "sexual contact" with boys and older men. | |
Miss Goddard asked him what had inspired him to become a teacher. | |
Mr Talbot said: "I wanted to change the world. The belief I have always had is that education can improve people. | Mr Talbot said: "I wanted to change the world. The belief I have always had is that education can improve people. |
"I still have that view." | "I still have that view." |
'Improving his mind' | 'Improving his mind' |
Four of the complainants were teenage pupils at Altrincham Grammar School while the other studied at Eldon High School, Gateshead, where Talbot was on placement from training college. | Four of the complainants were teenage pupils at Altrincham Grammar School while the other studied at Eldon High School, Gateshead, where Talbot was on placement from training college. |
Mr Talbot denies anything sexual or inappropriate occurring between himself and the Altrincham pupils. | Mr Talbot denies anything sexual or inappropriate occurring between himself and the Altrincham pupils. |
He admits consensual sexual activity took place with the latter pupil, but said it only happened when the boy turned 16. | |
Mr Talbot said he was 19 when he first met the Gateshead pupil. | Mr Talbot said he was 19 when he first met the Gateshead pupil. |
He explained he wrote a dissertation about him as part of his studies because he thought he was a "very interesting character". | He explained he wrote a dissertation about him as part of his studies because he thought he was a "very interesting character". |
He said: "I had to get approval to follow this kid for a whole year." | He said: "I had to get approval to follow this kid for a whole year." |
The defendant agreed he had invited him to visit his college accommodation, as he did with other boys. | The defendant agreed he had invited him to visit his college accommodation, as he did with other boys. |
The youngster went on to stay overnight at his accommodation, Mr Talbot said, and the pair would enjoy trips out. | The youngster went on to stay overnight at his accommodation, Mr Talbot said, and the pair would enjoy trips out. |
The TV star said: "It was this idea of improving his mind, giving him new opportunities." | The TV star said: "It was this idea of improving his mind, giving him new opportunities." |
Mr Talbot is best known for presenting the weather forecast on a floating map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for ITV's This Morning programme. | Mr Talbot is best known for presenting the weather forecast on a floating map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for ITV's This Morning programme. |