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TV weatherman Fred Talbot guilty of indecently assaulting two boys

Former television weatherman Fred Talbot has been convicted by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court of indecently assaulting two teenage boys. He was cleared of eight other counts.

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CPS: Talbot used position of trust to abuse boys in his care

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor of CPS North West praised the courage and resolve of the victims of Fred Talbot, who he said abused the trust placed in him by parents.

As a teacher, Fred Talbot was in a position of trust and responsibility. Parents and pupils saw him as a popular, likeable teacher who was willing to give up his time to take children away on school trips. In fact he used those situations as opportunities to sexually assault two teenage boys who should have been safe in his care. The offences he committed were a gross betrayal of the trust placed in him.

The victims, and other witnesses in the case, have shown real courage and resolve in reporting what happened to the police and giving evidence during this trial. Because of their courage Fred Talbot has today been brought to justice for these crimes. I hope that these verdicts will help them in some way and I hope they will give other victims of sexual abuse the confidence to come forward knowing that they will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity

– Nazir Afzal, CPS North West

Talbot was found guilty of assaulting two boys under 16 and was acquitted of a further eight counts of indecent assault.

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