Fred Talbot’s sex abuse trial halted over injury

The sex abuse trial of television weatherman Fred Talbot was halted when he fell into a table and injured his head as he left the witness box.

Talbot, 65, suffered a crashing fall as he appeared to miss a step to the right of the box at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He suffered a cut to the forehead after he tumbled into a facing table.

The incident took place as the jury was sent out for a break after Talbot had started to give evidence in his defence.

He is on trial over charges he indecently assaulted five pupils between the late 1960s and the early 1980s.

Talbot was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for precautionary checks.

There were gasps from the packed public gallery as Talbot collapsed in a heap and the court clerk rushed to his aid.

Talbot groaned on the floor and looked dazed as he was eventually helped to his feet.

A bloodied cut to his forehead was clearly visible before Court 9 was cleared as Talbot was propped up against the table.