Breaking News - BBC star with royal links charged with rape

Started by NewsCaster, Jan 23, 2013, 08:30 PM

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Paul Ellis / AFP - Getty Images, fileBritish broadcaster Stuart Hall arrives at Preston Magistrates Court in northwest England on Jan. 7.By Ian Johnston, Staff Writer, NBC NewsLONDON -- A BBC sports commentator and entertainer -- so popular that members of Britain's royal family once took part in his game show -- has been charged with raping a woman and indecently assaulting girls as young as nine, according to police.

Stuart Hall, 83, who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in 2012 for services to broadcasting and charity, was arrested Tuesday morning after going to a police station voluntarily. He had covered soccer for BBC Radio 5 Live until recently.

The Associated Press noted the allegations had deepened "concerns about intercourse abuse by top BBC personalities decades ago."

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