Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell appeared in court today accused of raping a young girl.
The actor stood in the dock at Manchester Crown Court as the charges were read out to him before the start of his trial.
Mr Le Vell (48) who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, is facing 12 charges in all — five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
A slightly different indictment, or list of charges, had been drawn up after a previous hearing, when Le Vell pleaded not guilty to 19 charges.
Before the trial began today the new indictment had to be put to Mr Le Vell.
The actor, who is charged under his real name of Michael Turner, was asked to stand in the dock. He shook his head and repeated “not guilty” in a strong voice twelve times to each charge.
The charges span a period of nine years.
The first count alleges touching and digital penetration. Mr Le Vell is also accused of making the child touch him indecently and of raping her.
There are further charges of digital penetration and sexual touching and further counts of vaginal and oral rape.
Mr Le Vell arrived at Manchester Crown Court this morning wearing a light grey suit and was met by large group of photographers, TV crews and reporters. Inside there were more than 20 reporters crammed into the press benches in court 3.
The actor, who was with his legal team and a minder, said “Good morning” to the media as he arrived at court.
Mr Le Vell, who lives in Hale, Cheshire, is one of TV’s most famous faces after playing Kevin Webster for the past 30 years.
Originally from Manchester, he began his showbusiness career at the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school.
He first joined Coronation Street in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans, who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from Brian Tilsley’s apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, and fathering two girls, Rosie and Sophie.
ITV has said he will not be appearing in any further episodes of the soap pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
His trial before Judge Michael Henshell is scheduled to last around two weeks.
PA