Jury in Bill Roache trial retires to consider verdicts
The jury in the trial of Coronation Street actor William Roache has retired to consider its verdicts. Roache denies two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault.
Prosecution: Roache's fame 'highly relevant' in case
In her closing speech, prosecutor Anne Whyte QC, said Coronation Street actor Bill Roache's fame was "highly relevant" in his case.
"These offences, frankly, would not have happened if he was not famous," she said.
Ms Whyte said it "put him out of reach" and, because of who he was, anyone whom he touched sexually without consent "would probably not have the guts to complain".
"Once he had got away with it once or twice, it would not discourage him from from trying again," she continued.
"He was probably reinforced with the belief that he would not be reported.
"We say that on occasion, when the opportunity arose, he took it with impunity."
Mr Roache denies two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault involving the complainants aged 16 and under between the mid-1960s and early 1970s.
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Coronation Street stars defend 'gentleman' Bill Roache
Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been defended by some of his co-stars at his trial at Preston Crown Court.
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Bill Roache says he had 'no interest in gratuitous sex'
On his first day of evidence, actor Bill Roache denied all of the allegations against him insisting he had no interest in 'gratuitous sex'
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Alleged Roache victim: 'I blamed myself...I was a kid'
A woman has told the trial of Coronation Street's Bill Roache that the actor raped her on two occasions when she was 15 years old in 1967.