Corrie's Ken Barlow actor Bill Roache has been cleared of all counts of sexual assault by British courts this morning.
The 81-year-old actor had been charged with rape and sexual assault of five women in the 1960s and 70s in a trial that lasted three and a half weeks in Preston crown court. Roache had been accused of "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 maintained his innocence upon accusations and throughout the trial, saying he never met his accusers, with fellow Corrie stars as well as family members attesting to his innocence and good character. Anne Kirkbride, Chris Gascoyne and Helen Worth all appeared in court during the trial describing Roache as ''a perfect gentleman'', ''an inspiration'' and the ''elder statesman'' of the show, respectively. The jury ruled that it could not be proved "beyond reasonable doubt" that he was guilty, and cleared him of all counts.
Roache is now expected to return to Coronation Street on which he hasn't appeared since 29 April last year.
Source: The Guardian
