Cosy crimes and gritty sagas by Corrie Blog editor Glenda, published by Headline. Click pic below!

Monday 10 June 2013

Ex-Corrie actor Andrew Lancel cleared of child sex abuse charge

Andrew Lancel
From BBC News

Andrew Lancel, who played Frank Foster in Coronation Street, as been cleared of four counts of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy.

Andrew appeared in court under his real name of Andrew Watkinson. He had been on trial at Liverpool Crown Court accused of indecently assaulting a teenage boy in the 1990s.

The judge ruled he was not guilty of two other counts on Thursday.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC directed the jury to find Mr Watkinson not guilty on two of six counts he originally faced because the complainant said he could not be sure the alleged abuse happened before he turned 15.

The actor was charged in November with indecently assaulting the youngster in 1994 when the pair met at a theatre group.

Mr Watkinson, who appeared in Coronation Street between January 2011 and March 2012, denied any sexual contact ever took place and claimed he acted as a "sort of mentor" to the boy.

Outside court, Mr Watkinson, who has also appeared in Cardiac Arrest and The Bill, posed for photographers but declined to comment on the case.

His solicitor Stuart Nolan read a short statement on his behalf, which said: "Andrew would like to thank his family and friends and all parties for their support and prayers.

"He just wants to spend time with his family."

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GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!

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GRITTY SAGAS BY CORRIE BLOG EDITOR GLENDA YOUNG, PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE. CLICK PIC BELOW!