UK actor Bill Roache cleared of rape and sexual assault charges against teenage girls
Lawyers for British actor Bill Roache argued that trial had been ‘infected’ by a torrent of abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile and others
British actor Bill Roache, who stars in the long-running television soap opera Coronation Street, has been cleared of raping and sexually assaulting five women in the 1960s and 70s.
The 81-year-old was found not guilty of all charges after a three-and-a-half week trial at Preston crown court, where he was accused of exploiting his fame to rape a 15-year-old girl and indecently assault four other teenagers at the soap’s studios in Manchester and in his Rolls-Royce.
Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since Coronation Street began in 1960, maintained his innocence throughout. He insisted he had never met his accusers, let alone molested them.
As he left court the actor said: “In these situations there are no winners and I think we should all be much kinder to ourselves. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to get back to work.”
Several members of the jury that had taken just short of six hours to clear him of the allegations watched as Roache read out a statement. He thanked his employer ITV Granada, his legal team, family, friends and colleagues for their support, as well as those people he did not know who had wished him well.
Roache did not respond when asked if the trial had been “a witch-hunt”.
