Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell (real name Michael Turner) has been charged with child sex offences following a review of evidence.
Le Vell, who is best known for his role as Kevin Webster on the popular soap, has been accused of 19 offences including raping a child and sexual activity with a child.
The 47-year-old actor is due to appear in court in two weeks’ time (February 27th) according to Greater Manchester Police.
Le Vell has been charged with child sex offences.
Breaking News reported that the authorities confirmed the news late last night: “Michael Turner, of Byrom Street, Hale, has been charged with 19 offences including raping a child, indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child.”
They added: “The charges, which were authorised by the CPS following a review of evidence, relate to offences against a child between 2001 and 2010.”
He has played Kevin Webster in Coronation Street for 30 years.
Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions was the one who reviewed the evidence.
She said: “I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences… As proceedings are now active, it would be inappropriate to say anything further at this stage.”
Le Vell with his wife and kids back in 2007.
Le Vell was first arrested back in September 2011 and questioned but the charges were later dropped and the decision was not to prosecute.
The father-of-two, who split from his wife Janette Beverley last year, also returned to the small screen having taken time out for the investigation.
UPDATE 10.59am: ITV has said that Le Vell will not appear in any more episodes of Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
“Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time,” a spokesman explained.
