CORONATION STREET STAR Michael Le Vell appeared in court in Manchester today facing 12 charges, including five of raping a young girl.
Known in soap land as car mechanic Kevin Webster and in the real world as Michael Turner, he has denied all charges against him relating to one girl, who cannot be named, and who was abused from the age of six.
According to BBC News the 48-year-old told his rape victim that it was their “little secret” and she would “die” if she told anyone.
The BBC also reports that Turner held teddy bear over her mouth when he first raped her.
The Judge Michael Henshell warned the jury that the man on trial is “Michael Turner, not the character he plays”.
Turner also faces three charges of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
The offences are said to have happened between 2001 and 2010.
The case continues.
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell in the dock at Manchester Crown Court where he is accused of raping a young girl. (Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)
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