Broadcaster branded a ‘predator’ for assaults
Hall, aged 83 — who had previously issued an impassioned denial — entered the guilty pleas last month at Preston Crown Court but they could only be disclosed after reporting restrictions were lifted.
Outside court, the former It’s a Knockout presenter appeared a broken man, having heard his lawyer Crispin Aylett tell the court “he is only too aware his disgrace is complete”.
It was a stark contrast with a previous appearance, when he insisted on the court steps the allegations were “pernicious, callous, cruel, and above all spurious”.
Hall was described as an “opportunistic predator” by Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for the North West, who said yesterday outside court: “His victims did not know each other and almost two decades separated the first and last assaults, but almost all of the victims, including one who was only nine at the time of the assault, provided strikingly similar accounts.
“Whether in public or private, Hall would first approach under friendly pretences and then bide his time until the victim was isolated. He can only be described as an opportunistic predator.”
At the previous hearing on Apr 16, Hall — who was awarded an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours — calmly and repeatedly answered “guilty” when the charges were put to him. He stood in the dock as he uttered the single damning word which has now ruined his reputation.
A brief rundown of the abuse suffered by three victims was outlined at an earlier hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court.
In the 1980s, Hall molested a nine-year-old girl by putting his hand up her clothing. He also kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips after he said to her: “People need to show thanks in other ways.” He was charged with those offences when he was arrested by Lancashire police on Dec 5.
Police confirmed publicity surrounding his initial arrest led to more victims coming forward, a fact likely to fuel the current debate over calls for defendants not to be named in such circumstances. Hall was subsequently charged with abusing 10 more girls and the rape of a 22-year-old woman, between 1968 and 1986.
The recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell, granted Hall bail until his sentencing on Jun 17.
An order made under Section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 was lifted so that the earlier pleas could be reported. It had been put in place to avoid prejudicing a possible future trial on a count of rape and three separate counts of indecent assault which Hall had denied last month.
Peter Wright, prosecuting, said the Crown was satisfied the rape count could lie on file after it was given consideration at “the most senior level” and the alleged victim was consulted.
The three other charges were merged with a count he has admitted involving one victim.
Hall did not comment as he left court, saying only to waiting reporters that he had a “heavy cold”.
He was surrounded by a media scrum as he was led into a waiting taxi.
Lancashire Constabulary thanked Hall’s victims for their “bravery”.
Detective chief inspector Neil Esseen said: “They have lived with what happened for a long period of time and it cannot have been easy for them to come forward.”
Judge Russell granted Hall bail on condition of residence at his home address and no unsupervised contact with children.
The BBC said it would not be featuring Hall again in its programmes.
