CORONATION STREET ACTOR Michael Le Vell has been found not guilty of all charges of rape and sexual offences in a British court this afternoon.
Sky News reports the 48-year-old has been cleared of all 12 charges against him.
The Manchester resident had denied all allegations, which included five counts of rape.
Manchester Crown Court had heard from a girl – who cannot be named – claiming she was abused from the age of six.
Speaking outside the court, the actor was jubilant.
“I’m delighted obviously, it is a weight off everyone’s shoulders,” he said. “I would just like to thank my fantastic legal team here…I would like to thank ITV for their continued support throughout this traumatic time for all of us.
I might go and have a drink now, believe it or not. Cheers.
Asked whether he would return to Coronation Street to resume his role as Kevin Webster, he added: “I don’t know. I might have a holiday first, I’ll have to go have a chat with my boss.”
A spokesperson for the soap opera said management was “looking forward to meeting…to discuss his return to the programme”.
The trial lasted eight days, during which the jury of eight women and four men heard of Le Vell’s “demons”, including numerous extra-marital affairs and alcoholism.
The actor was first arrested in September 2011 but the Crown Prosecution Service did not proceed with the case. A review of the evidence earlier this year led to his re-arrest and the charges.
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