Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell will appear at Manchester Crown Court today to face 12 charges for child sex offences which is believed to have taken place over eight years.
The 48-year-old father of two, who played Kevin Webster in the soap for more than 30 years, is accused of five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
The alleged abuse of a minor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is said to have taken place between September 2002 and September 2010.
Le Vell, real name Michael Turner, split with his wife Janette Beverley in 2011 after 25 years of marriage and is expected to be joined in court by his family and girlfriend Blanca Fouche.
He recently said: “I am innocent of these charges and intend to fight them vigorously.”
The Manchester United supporter began his showbiz career at the Oldham Theatre Workshop and joined Coronation Street in 1983.
ITV has said he will not be appearing in any further episodes of the soap pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
His trial is scheduled to last around two weeks.
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