Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

BBC broadcaster accused of abusing girls

Updated at 12:13 pm on 6 December 2012

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been charged with three offences of indecent assault against young girls.

The 82-year-old is accused of alleged offences committed between 1974 and 1984 involving three girls aged between nine and 16, Lancashire police say.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of rape and a further allegation of indecent assault, for which he has been released without charge, PA reports.

The broadcaster's arrest comes as the BBC continues to deal with the fallout of the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.

Mr Hall was detained at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on Wednesday morning before being taken to a police station for questioning.

He was bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on 7 January.

Mr Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was this year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

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