(BBC sex abuse scandal) Aging presenter Hall denies assaults of young girls
(01-07 19:04)
An aging BBC broadcaster pleaded not guilty today to charges of indecent assault of three girls, including one who was 9 years old when she was allegedly abused.
Reports from London said Stuart Hall, 82, the former It's A Knockout presenter, appeared in court at a brief hearing at Preston magistrates court today.
The Guardian reports that when Hall was asked by the clerk of the court if he understood that he faced three separate charges of indecent assault and if he wanted to enter a plea, he replied: “Yes, I do. Not guilty to all three charges.’’
Presecutor Joanne Cunliffe, said the case should be sent to crown court because the charges are too serious to be dealt with at magistrates court.
Outlining the charges, she said Hall is alleged to have fondled the breast of one girl, then aged 16 or 17, between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 in Blackpool.
On a second occasion he is alleged to have molested a nine-year-old girl by touching some time between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983, and the third alleged indecent assault is that he kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips, on an occasion between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984.
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