Bill Roache will "vigorously protest his innocence" after being charged with indecent assault, his lawyer said today (07.06.13).
The 'Coronation Street' star has been charged with five counts of indecent assault involving four girls aged between 12 and 16 in the 1960s, but speaking outside Preston Magistrates' Court, his lawyer Brian Russell says the actor will stand before a jury to protest the "deeply upsetting" charges.
The 81-year-old star - who has portrayed Ken Barlow since the ITV soap began in December 1960 - was arrested yesterday (06.06.13) after attending a police station in Lancashire.
Lancashire Constabulary said in a statement: "The offences are alleged to have been committed in the Manchester area between 1965 and 1968 and to involve four girls aged between 12 and 16 years at the time."
Bill - who already faces two counts of rape involving a 15-year-old girl, in 1967, of which he "strenuously denies" both allegations - was released on police bail yesterday.
An ITV spokesman has said Bill will not appear in 'Coronation Street' until legal proceedings are over.
Tagged in Bill Roache