Michael Le Vell

[Workingman]

The news report that he he has walked away from his trial for indecent assault, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity, as a free man, is nonsense.

He might well have been found innocent by a jury who were given all the facts, but his life and lifestyle has been dragged through he mud by the media, the CPS and the police.

Free he might be, innocent he also is, but because of the publicity he will always and forever be "suspect" in the eyes of just about everyone.

[Osc]

I hoped all along that he would be found innocent - obviously none of knows what was said in the courtroom, but it seemed to me that all the evidence was very tenuous and not enough to convict him. I'm really glad with the verdict but yes, he will carry this nightmare for the rest of his life.

[Kaz]

He hasn't come across as a very likeable man, I must admit, but if every man or woman who drank too much and had affairs was tried for it the prisons would be full

He's had every dark corner of his life dragged out for public dissection, all on the word of one child with no actual evidence whatsoever

The man is innocent, tried in a court of law and acquitted, now the press need to get off his back - fat chance!

[cromwell]

How did this ever get to trial?
There was no evidence against him - no forensics, no contemporary witnesses, no medical evidence, nothing. Just an accusation.

[TheOstrich]

Absolutely, Cromwell. And to add to your list, nothing incriminating on his computer.

But the CPS must have weighed up the chances of a conviction, and come down on the "go for it" side of the fence.

I wonder how far their decision was made based on the "euphoria" of all the other celebrity sex cases?

----

Freddie Starr was accused of similar crimes and arrested, but it is now said there is no truth to the allegations and it is anticipated that the CPS will drop the case. It's reported that Starr is now suing his accuser for loss of earnings and reputation, etc. I will be very interested to see if this ever goes ahead and what the eventual outcome is.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... om-14.html

Presumably Le Vell's accuser will remain anonymous and will never be suable, simply because his case did go to court.

Which makes me feel that in today's legal system, the police and the CPS are the ultimate judge and jury, not the guy up front in the fancy red gown and wig, and the dozen hapless citizens rooted out of their everyday lives and told to sit in a box.

I know the police argue that by publicising these sex charges, more accusers might step forward. That's tantamount to trawling, IMO. So, if there cannot be full anonymity for all, then there has to be a right to seek redress, either from the accuser - or if the case does go to trial, then from the police and CPS themselves.

[Workingman]

So, if there cannot be full anonymity for all, then there has to be a right to seek redress, either from the accuser - or if the case does go to trial, then from the police and CPS themselves.

Well said Ossie, but don't forget the media... it has to be kept in line as well.

[KateLMead]

However..As terrible as it is to be accused when not guilty, the threats from the perpetrators who are guilty create a living nightmare terrifying the child of what will happen to her or him if she mentions the assault sound still very familiar, like she or he will die, fingers will drop off, tongue will drop out etc.terrifying, creating a living nighmare day and night for the little ones.
Been there survived got the tea shirt.

[Suff]

Right at the beginning of the Saville mess I stated that accusations would fly, based on 21st century laws and mores, which would never have made prosecution. I also said that there would be instances of people looking for the limelight or to destroy someone.

The police and the CPS have a hard job on this. But they must look to see if there is a case to answer. One that can be proven in court and one that will not drag everyone through the mud only to find that a conviction cannot be reached.

I doubted that this standard would be applied and it appears to be the case..... It would appear they'd rather destroy 10 innocent men than let one (possibly) guilty man walk....

I'm not saying that there are not monsters out there who prey on young women. Or even not so young women. However there are others out they who have a different prey. It used to be the job of the police and the CPS to weed them out. Not a Jury.

[KateLMead]

I see Cyril Smith was protected by the police when his abuse of youngsters came to light, and there have been other cases of cover up's.
Yes there are foul animals out there, many of whom get away with their actions.. However I can think of nothing worse that an innocent man being accused of abuse, the stress it creates for family members must be unbearable..
And the press have a great deal to answer for.
What the benefits are in bringing up scandals thirty forty and even fifty years later is beyond my comprehension.