Dave Lee Travis charged with 12 counts of assault

Former Radio One DJ Dave Lee Travis. Picture: PA

The 68-year-old, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, is accused of committing the offences between 1977 and 2007 against alleged victims aged between 15 and 29.

Speaking outside his home last night, the DJ said: “To say the least I am disappointed that the police and the CPS have decided to bring charges. These allegations are not true. I am very much looking forward to clearing my name on this.”

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 23 August.

Travis, from Mentmore , Bedfordshire, has maintained his innocence since first arrested in November, and then re-arrested after further allegations emerged in March.

After his second arrest, he said: “The last four months have been extraordinary. Allegations which I strongly deny have been put to me by the police and to which I have given full and complete answers. I have fully co-operated and my conscience is clear.’’

He was charged as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation prompted by the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal, but the accusations against Travis have no connection to the disgraced BBC presenter.

Jessica Standley, a solicitor from legal firm Slater & Gordon representing several of Travis’ alleged victims, said her clients were “relieved” he had been charged.

She said: “Our clients are relieved that after this length of time, careful consideration has been given to the evidence and a decision has been made to prosecute in the criminal courts.

“It takes a great deal of courage for people to come forward with this kind of allegation and our clients look forward to having their voices heard in a court of law.”

Prosecutors have decided that no further action should be taken in relation to seven allegations made against the DJ because of a lack of evidence.

Chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service London, Alison Saunders, said: “We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to David Patrick Griffin.

“Having completed our review, we have concluded

that there

is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Griffin to be charged with 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault.

“The decision to prosecute has been taken in accord with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the Director of Public Prosecutions’ interim guidelines on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse. We have determined there is sufficient evidence for a realistic

prospect of conviction and prosecution is in the public interest.”

Travis’s lawyer Martin Bale said: “Mr Travis is naturally disappointed that charges have been preferred and we will be taking stock of the position in the coming weeks once we have full details of the prosecution case.

“Mr Travis denies the allegations and looks forward to having the opportunity to clear his name.”