Corrie actor Bill Roache criticises rape trial judge

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has accused the judge who presided over his rape trial of "bias" in a newspaper interview.

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Cleared Corrie star 'misheard' jury verdict

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache said he thought he was going to prison after mishearing the jury at the end of his rape trial last week, the Mail on Sunday reported.

He said it was not until the judge ordered for him to be released from the dock that he realised he had been acquitted.

I didn't hear the verdict properly, I didn't hear a couple of 'nots'.

I thought I had gone on two [charges] - I just heard guilty, guilty.

– Bill Roache

Bill Roache claims rape trial judge was 'biased'

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has accused the judge who presided over his rape trial of "bias".

Coronation Street star Bill Roache has accused the judge who presided over his rape trial of "bias". Credit: PA

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, the 81-year-old actor said: "In my view the judge wasn't impartial. The judge was biased, he mauled me. I thought that was it."

During the trial process Mr Justice Holroyde said: "I don’t accept the submission that the content or tone of my summary of the evidence thus far could give rise to any inference of leaning towards the prosecution or against the defence."

The actor was found not guilty of all charges brought against him at Preston Crown Court last week.

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