Actor Bill Roache Cleared of One of Seven Abuse Charges

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has been cleared of one of the seven abuse charges. Preston Crown Court jurors were directed to acquit Roache of the indecent assault charge due to insufficient evidence. The actor is still on trial over two rape and four indecent assault allegations, which he denies. The incidents are allegedly to have taken place between 1965 and 1971 and involved five women who were aged 16 and under. Judge Mr Justice Holroyde told the jury: "In relation to that episode, the witness was not giving evidence that it did happen, she was giving evidence that she was thinking it did happen and that is not a sufficient evidential basis for the conviction of an offence." "Mr Roache is entitled to a not guilty verdict on that charge." The allegation was made by a woman who said that when she was 14, Roache made her perform a sexual act in his car. She said that she had been indecently assaulted but had “no actual memory” of the incident. Roache still faces a second allegation by the same woman, where it's said that he assaulted her in the male toilets at Granada Studios in Manchester. Roache’s defence on the remaining six charges is due to start today.