Top BBC presenter Hall pleads guilty to child sex abuse
London - Veteran BBC television presenter Stuart Hall on Thursday pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 girls aged between 9 and 17.
The 83-year-old admitted in April to the 14 charges, which relate to events between 1967 and 1985. However, that admission could only be reported Thursday, after restrictions were lifted.
Hall has been a well-known face on British television for the past 50 years, presenting shows such as It's a Knockout and becoming an established sports reporter.
He was arrested in December and initially denied the historic allegations, calling them "pernicious," "callous" and "spurious." The presenter denied three further charges of indecent assault and one of rape. These charges will not be pursued for the time being.
The rape victim, who would have to give evidence at trial if she pursued the charge, had agreed with the decision, prosecution spokesman Nasir Afzal. Prosecutors had decided it was not in the public interest to proceed with the charge and force her to give evidence, he said.
Hall's prosecution showed, however, that "victims of abuse will not be denied justice by the passage of time," Afzal said.
The broadcaster is to be sentenced in June.//DPA
