Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has appeared in court to plead not guilty to the sexual abuse of three girls.
The 83-year-old former It’s A Knockout star gave his full name as James Stuart Hall when he was called before the bench for the brief hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Hall was asked by the clerk of the court if he understood that he faced three separate charges of indecent assault and if he wanted to enter a plea. He replied: “Yes I do. Not guilty to all three charges.”
Hall was allowed to sit down in the witness box while further details of the charges were given.
Joanne Cunliffe, prosecuting, said the case should be sent to the crown court because they are too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.
Outlining the charges, she said Hall is alleged to have fondled one girl, then aged 16 or 17, between September 1 1974 and December 31 1974 in Blackpool.
On a second occasion he is alleged to have molested a nine-year-old girl some time between January 1 1983 and December 31 1983. The third alleged indecent assault is that he kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips on an occasion between July 1 1984 and September 27 1984.
Louise Straw, defending, told District Judge Peter Ward there would be no objection to the case being sent to the crown court.
He granted Hall bail on condition that he lives at his home address and that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 17.
Hall was bailed until April 16 for a next appearance at Preston Crown Court.