Le Vell: Girl is 'telling a pack of lies'

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell told police that the girl who has levelled sex abuse accusations at him "is seriously deluded".

Le Vell, 48, flatly denied any wrong doing when questioned by officers who arrested him, Manchester Crown Court heard.

The star, who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, will give evidence himself to the jury later today, on the fourth day of his trial, accused of 12 charges in all, which are five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The alleged offences relate to one complainant and are said to have taken place between September 2002 and September 2010. He is alleged to have raped the girl while she clutched a teddy bear during one attack.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wept as she told the court Le Vell told her it was their “little secret”.

Today detective constable Neil Rothwell told the jury about how Le Vell was arrested on suspicion of rape at his home in Hale, Cheshire, at 7.45am on September 30 2011.

In his police interview, the actor confirmed he had no medical issues and was not aware of any memory problems.

When asked how much he drank, he replied: “Too much. I tried going to AA once or twice, it’s not worked out for me.”

Around the time of his arrest he said he was drinking five or six pints a night in his local pub.

He had cut down his pub drinking from seven to eight pints which he said he had done for the “best part of 30 years”.

“These habits sort of creep in,” he told the officer. “Having a crack with people, winding down, it’s not a hanging offence.”

The officer then put to Le Vell the specific allegations that he raped the girl on three occasions.

“No, it didn’t happen,” Le Vell replied. “Not one chance, never in a million years. No chance man.”

Mr Rothwell asked the suspect: “Why would she say you have?”

Le Vell replied: “I have not got a clue. I have not got a clue why she’s doing it. I honestly have not got a clue why she’s making these allegations. I just can’t fathom where it’s come from. I could not do it.

“It’s not in me at all.”

Le Vell told police he denied saying he wanted to "get rid of the evil'' as he allegedly raped the girl, or that he placed a teddy bear over her mouth.

“I did not rape her,” he said, “and I certainly did not try to smother her.”

He continued: “I don’t know where she is getting this from. I don’t know where she has got this imagination from.

“She is making it all up I’m afraid... that girl is seriously deluded, I’m sorry.

“I cannot believe the allegations...she is telling a pack of lies.”

At the conclusion of the interview he was asked if he wanted to say anything.

He replied: “Apart from I’m shocked and stunned at the allegations... I’m absolutely mortified and deny everything that has been alleged I have done.”

The prosecution closed its case just after 12.30pm.

Judge Michael Henshell adjourned proceedings until 2pm when the case for the defence begins and Le Vell will enter the witness box.