BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall charged with indecent assault (From Lancashire Telegraph)

BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall charged with indecent assault

7:22am Thursday 6th December 2012 in News

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been charged with three offences of indecent assault against young girls.

The 82-year-old former It's A Knockout star is accused of alleged offences committed between 1974 and 1984 involving three girls aged between nine and 16, Lancashire Police said.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of rape and a further allegation of indecent assault, for which he has been released without charge.

The BBC said Hall would not be working at the corporation while police were investigating the allegations.

A BBC spokesman said: "In light of the very serious nature of these charges, Stuart Hall will not be working at the BBC while the police continue with their inquiries."

The broadcaster's arrest comes as the BBC continues to deal with the fallout of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.

Hall was detained at his home in Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, yesterday morning before being taken to a police station for questioning.

John Dilworth, Head of CPS North West Complex Casework Unit, said: "Following investigations by Lancashire Police into allegations of sexual assault by Stuart Hall I have reviewed all the evidence that they have gathered and have authorised Lancashire police to charge him with three counts of indecent assault.

"The charges are that between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 he indecently assaulted a woman who was then aged 16 or 17 years, that between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged eight or nine years, and that between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 13 years.

Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was this year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live Officers arrived at his home at about 8am yesterday and stayed until about 2pm, before a uniformed officer left carrying two bin bags containing items.

At 8.34pm a woman, described by police as a "guest", left the family home in a black Range Rover.

Two police officers were last night stationed outside on the drive.

Hall has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on January 7 2013.