BBC commentator Stuart Hall charged with indecently assaulting children

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British prosecutors said Wednesday they were bringing charges against veteran BBC commentator Stuart Hall, saying he indecently assaulted children in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 82-year-old, a former presenter of game show “It’s a Knockout” known for his eccentric and erudite football match summaries on BBC Radio 5 Live, was arrested at his home at Wilmslow near Manchester in northwest England earlier in the day.

The BBC said in a statement that, “in light of the very serious nature of these charges”, Hall would not work for the broadcaster while the police conduct their investigation.

“The charges are that between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 he indecently assaulted a woman who was then aged 16 or 17 years,” said John Dilworth, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s north west complex casework unit.

“That between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged eight or nine years, and that between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 13 years.”

He was released without charge on an allegation of rape and a further claim of indecent assault.

Hall, who was awarded an OBE in the New Yeas Honours list, has been bailed to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on January 7.