`Sex charges dropped against Leslie': report

Sex charges against TV presenter John Leslie will be dropped when he appears in court today, according to sources close to the case.

The 38-year-old former host of ITV’s This Morning programme had been accused of attacking the same woman twice between May 25-28 1997.

But the charges will be dropped at Southwark Crown Court in London today after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to offer any evidence against him, according to sources.

Leslie, who has always maintained his innocence, was charged on June 18 with two counts of indecent assault after a lengthy investigation by detectives from Scotland Yard’s Special Inquiry Team.

A source close to the star said he was aware of reports that the charges would be dropped today.

“That’s what we have been hearing in the last day or so. I’ve spoken to John and he is obviously a bit cautious about it because he has been here before.”

A CPS spokeswoman would not comment.

Leslie was charged under his real name, John Leslie Stott, and was formally committed for Crown Court trial at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in central London almost a month ago.

Responding to the charges in June, he said: “There is absolutely no truth in the charge made against me – now I will have the chance to show my innocence in a court of law to a jury of my peers.”

Explaining that he had been asked not to speak publicly by police while they were investigating, he said he was “eagerly” awaiting his trial which would allow him to “confirm my innocence and reclaim my life”.

He said: “I can’t tell you how difficult it was for me and my family to remain silent with such accusations facing me.

“To be accused of such a crime when you are innocent is a heavy burden for any man to carry but if you are in the media spotlight it’s a particularly cruel experience and a high price to pay for being in the public eye.”