Coronation Street star Bill Roache was arrested earlier today and questioned regarding an alleged sexual assault from the 1960’s involving a girl who was 15 at the time.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police had told reporters: “An 81-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday May 1 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.”
Now, investigators in the case have confirmed that Mr. Roache will be charged with two counts of rape, according to RTÉ News. The allegations relate to a period from April to July in 1967.
Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape.”
“We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police since 1 March 2013. Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967.”
Mr. Roache will not appear in the series while the investigations are continuing. There has been no comment from ITV regarding the charges.
Mr Roache will appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on 14 May.
