I’m innocent of new child sex charges says Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow

Brian Russell spoke outside Preston Magistrates’ Court as the actor arrived to face new charges linked to allegations made in the wake of publicity surrounding his original arrest last month.

Roache, 81, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested yesterday morning after attending a police station in Cheshire by appointment.

The new offences are alleged to have been committed in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968 with the alleged victims aged between 11 or 12 and 16.

After Roache was charged last month with raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967, he issued a statement saying he “strenuously” denied the allegations.

Roache - the world’s longest-serving soap actor - has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since its launch, but will not be appearing in the programme until legal proceedings are concluded.

Speaking this morning as they arrived at court, Mr Russell said: “Yesterday Mr Roache was interviewed at length at the police station and, as you know, was then charged with five offences of indecent assault.

“These allegations arose out of the publicity that was generated when Mr Roache was interviewed on May 1 for offences of rape.

“So during two lengthy police interviews Mr Roache has fully co-operated with all the questions that the police have had for him in relation to these matters.

“Today we expect those cases to be transferred to the Crown Court and there will be another appearance of a short nature on Monday.

“We expect that later this year, or possibly early next year, a jury will be asked to consider whether Mr Roache is guilty or not guilty of those charges.

“Mr Roache looks forward to standing before that jury where he will vigorously protest his innocence against what he regards as deeply upsetting allegations made against him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t go into any more detail, it would be inappropriate at this stage.”

Roache was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on Monday, when he is due to face an earlier charge of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.

Dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and a blue and grey tie, the actor sat in court behind his solicitor before he was asked to step into the witness box.

He exchanged greetings with Lona Smith, chair of the bench of magistrates, before he gave his full name - William Patrick Roache - his address, date of birth and the name of his legal representative.

The court clerk then proceeded to outline the details of the five fresh charges which were made yesterday.

Mr Russell interrupted her to state: “I indicate they are not guilty pleas.”

The dates of the alleged indecent assaults in the Manchester area and the names of the four alleged victims - who cannot be named for legal reasons - were then read out.

Two counts relate to a girl aged under 16 in 1965, one to a 16-year-old in 1965, one to a girl aged under 16 in 1968 and one to a girl under 13 in 1968.

Joanna White, prosecuting, said the eldest alleged victim was 16, one was 14, one was aged 13 or 14 at the time and the other was 11 or 12.

She added the above matters were not suitable for summary trial before magistrates with a possible sentence of up to 18 months in prison for such an offence.

The allegations will be next be heard at Preston Crown Court on Monday where a preliminary hearing will take place. It is expected a date for when Roache will enter formal pleas will then be scheduled.

The actor’s previous bail conditions remain in place.

They include residence at his home in Wilmslow or an alternative address in London and that he has no direct unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.

The court heard he also surrendered his passport.

Roache must not approach any of his five alleged victims or named witnesses.

He was given a copy of his bail conditions, thanked the Bench and then left the building without comment.

Roache, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested yesterday morning after attending a police station by appointment.

He was earlier arrested and charged on May 1 with two counts of rape of a separate alleged victim.

In a statement issued at the time he said he was “astounded and deeply horrified by the extraordinary events”.

Roache - the world’s longest-serving soap actor - has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since its launch, but will not be appearing in the programme until legal proceedings are concluded.

He collected an award from Guinness World Records in 2010 for his long service in Coronation Street, having joined in 1960 and appeared regularly ever since.