Prosecutors described veteran BBC television presenter Stuart Hall on Thursday as an “opportunistic predator” after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 girls aged between 9 and 17 decades ago.
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 on 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’. He has also made a name as a sports reporter.
He was arrested in December and initially denied the allegations, calling them “pernicious,” “callous” and “spurious.” Hall refused to comment as he left the court, telling reporters only that he had a “terrible cold.” His defence lawyer said he wished to apologize to his victims, adding, “He is not a man easily moved to self-pity, but he is only too aware his disgrace is complete.”
“The evidence of the victims clearly established a pattern of behaviour that was unlawful and for which no innocent explanation could be offered,” prosecution spokesman Nazir Afzal said.
“He can only be described as an opportunistic predator.” Police launched an investigation into sexual abuse last year after hundreds of people accused another veteran BBC presenter, Jimmy Savile, of abuse following Savile’s death.
The publicity around the case caused other victims of abuse to come forward. Those arrested as part of the investigation include convicted paedophile pop star Gary Glitter, former BBC DJ Dave Lee Travis, television presenter Rolf Harris and comedian Jim Davidson.
Britain’s top publicist, Max Clifford, who has counted Muhammad Ali and Frank Sinatra among his clients, was last week charged with 11 counts of indecent assault against teenage girls.
Hall denied three further charges of indecent assault and one of rape. These charges will not be pursued for the time being.
The rape victim did not want to give evidence at a trial and prosecutors had decided it was not in the public interest to proceed with the charge and force her to give evidence, Afzal said.
“This case clearly shows that the victims of abuse will not be denied justice by the passage of time and abusers will be held to account,” Afzal said.
The broadcaster is to be sentenced in June.
The news comes a day after Britain’s longest-serving soap actor, Coronation Street star Bill Roache, was charged with two counts of rape of a 15-year-old girl in 1967 in an investigation unrelated to the Savile enquiry.