Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell cleared of all sexual abuse charges
A jury at Manchester Crown Court acquitted the star who played the soap's garage mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years
Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been found not guilty of rape and sexual assault.
The jury in his sex abuse trial at Manchester Crown Court cleared the actor of all charges brought against him.
Speaking outside the court, Le Vell told reporters he was "delighted" at the verdict and thanked his family and friends for their support during the trial.
The 48-year-old, who who has played garage mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV1 soap for 30 years, was tried under his real name of Michael Turner.
Manchester Crown Court heard that his accuser, who cannot be named, claimed she was abused from the age of six until she was 14.
Le Vell denied the charges: 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 jury of eight women and four men took four hours to return verdicts of not guilty on all charges.
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