By Laura Moulden
Former BBC presenter Stuart Hall has been charged with rape and 14 counts of indecent assault.
The 83-year old from Cheshire is alleged to have raped a 22-year-old woman in 1976. Fourteen incidents of indecent assault are also said to have taken place between 1967 and 1986 on 10 girls between the ages of nine and 16.
Hall had already been charged with three counts of indecent assault against young girls in the 1970s and 80s, which he denied at a court hearing earlier this month.
A statement from Lancashire Constabulary read:
“Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service an 83-year-old man has this evening (Tuesday, January 22nd) been charged with one offence of rape and 14 offences of indecent assault.
“Stuart Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested this morning after attending a police station in the county by appointment.”
Having worked for over half a century in British broadcasting, Hall was best known for his work on hit 1970s TV show It’s A Knockout.
He was awarded an OBE in the 2012 Queen’s New Year Honours and was still contributing regularly to BBC Radio 5 Live until very recently.
Mr Hall is due to appear before Preston magistrates on February 7th.
