Michael Le Vell trial: Court hears rape claim

Michael Le Vell: Denies multiple sex offences. Picture: Getty

The actor leant forward in his seat, his face almost touching the glass screen in the dock, grimacing, closing his eyes and repeatedly shaking his head as the girl gave evidence.

The witness broke down in tears minutes after beginning, sobbing throughout. Her identity cannot be made public and she gave evidence behind a curtain, screening her from the public gallery at Manchester Crown Court.

She was given a glass of water before composing herself and continuing to answer questions from Ms Eleanor Laws QC, prosecuting.

Earlier the jury were told the actor allegedly told the girl “It’s okay, just keep calm, stay asleep... I’m going to get rid of the evil”, as he sexually abused her.

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.

Le Vell, who is on trial under his real name of Michael Turner, denies the offences and shook his head, saying “not guilty” in a strong voice as the charges were put to him before his trial began.

His alleged victim told the court when asked about the alleged abuse: “I was very scared because it didn’t feel right. It felt like I wasn’t in my body at the time and I was just watching it.”

Asked why she did not tell anyone of the abuse, she replied: “Because he told me not to. It was our little secret.”