Veteran BBC presenter Stuart Hall charged with indecent assault

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

• Ex-It’s A Knockout presenter Stuart Hall charged with offences between 1974 and 1984

• Hall arrested on Wednesday by police investigating historic allegations of rape and indecent assault

• Broadcast veteran was awarded OBE in New Years Honours this year

The 82-year-old is accused of alleged offence committed between 1974 and 1984 and to involve three girls aged between nine and 16 years, Lancashire Police said.

He has been released without charge on an allegation of rape and a further allegation of indecent assault.

Hall, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on January 7 2013.

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.

“He has been bailed to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 7 January 2013.”

The former It’s A Knockout presenter was detained at his home on Wednesday morning before being taken to a police station for questioning.

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

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Police officers arrived at his home at about 8am and stayed until about 2pm.

One uniformed officer left carrying two bin bags containing items.

There were two marked Cheshire police vehicles in the driveway of his home for several hours.

The BBC said Hall would not be working at the embattled corporation while police continue their investigation into 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 enquiries.”

The broadcaster’s arrest comes as the BBC continues to deal with the fall-out of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.