John Leslie arrested over rape claim

Maid Marian

Oh dear - not again yah5.gif

The former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie has been arrested on suspicion of rape, over an attack that is alleged to have happened thirteen years ago.

Leslie, 43, went voluntarily to a police station in London where he was questioned by detectives about the alleged incident, which was only recently reported to officers. Scotland Yard confirmed a man in his 40s was arrested for rape and sexual assault allegedly committed in November 1995.

Last night a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers are investigating an allegation of rape and indecent assault on a woman dating from November 1995.

"At approximately 7pm this evening a man aged in his 40s attended a London police station by appointment and was arrested in connection with the inquiry.

"He was interviewed and bailed pending further inquiries to a date in late August."

The arrest comes five years after Leslie was acquitted of two counts of indecent assault on a 23-year-old actress who had claimed he raped her. He was also named on television as the alleged rapist of fellow presenter Ulrika Jonsson.

The accusations brought forward a string of other lurid claims about his private life, including photographs of him snorting cocaine.

At the time Leslie had been co-hosting the popular ITV1 breakfast show This Morning with Fern Britton, but he was sacked after the pictures were published.

Leslie's new accuser was in her early 20s when she claims to have been raped at his home in East Sheen, west London. It is believed she first reported him to police several weeks ago.

A police source is understood to have said that her claim was "plausible" and that the investigation was being taken "very seriously".

But the former presenter, who now lives in Scotland and works as a property developer, is believed to strongly refute the claims.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper a source close to Leslie said: "John totally denies the accusations and believes he has been deliberately set up because of his past.

"He is co-operating fully with police and wants to get this out of the way as soon as possible so he can get on with the rest of his life."

Leslie, who once presented the BBC children's show Blue Peter, was photographed looking relaxed as he left Teddington police station, south west London, where detectives took his fingerprints and a DNA swab during two hours of questioning.

He reportedly enjoyed a beer with a friend in the late afternoon sunshine before attending voluntarily at 7pm.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/n...lie-arrested-over-rape-claim.html

Kellie · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

We just posted the exact same topic 21.gif i have deleted mine

Maid Marian · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

21.gif 21.gif

I've just emailed you saying the same thing and if they can't be merged for you to delete mine 21.gif

julie · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

Think we should be careful with this story, he hasn't been found guilty of anything yet. And it seems odd to me to wait over 13 years to accuse someone

Maid Marian · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

I bet JL is very relieved

julie · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

We really should give accused men anonymity and limit how long ago they can be charged.