Former Blue Peter presenter charged over sexual assault

TV presenter John Leslie was charged earlier this month with sexually assaulting a woman with an alleged incident which occurred in December 2008. The former Blue Peter presenter has denied allegations and insisted his innocence following the charge. 

 

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "John Leslie Stott, 54, of Edinburgh, Midlothian, was charged by postal requisition on June 5 with sexual touching of a woman aged 16 or over, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

 

"He is due to appear at Westminster magistrates' court on July 25 at 9.30am. The allegation relates to an incident in Westminster in December 2008.

 

"The victim was aged 30 at the time. Detectives from the Met's Central West Command Unit investigate."

 

The incident, dating back to late 2008, is alleged to have taken place in Soho in London's West End. The 54 year old who now lives in Edinburgh, has vowed to clear his name and contest the trial. Mr Leslie said: "I am totally innocent of the historic allegation and will be contesting the trial."

 

In the late eighties and nineties, John Leslie was one of the most popular television personalities for daytime television programmes. Between the years of 1989 and 1994, he joined the children's television programme Blue Peter on BBC One. In 1998 he became the main presenter of ITV's gameshow Wheel of Fortune and in 2001, he became a regular presenter alongside Fern Britton on This Morning.

 

This is not the first time that Mr Leslie has been referred to in relation to sexual offences or assaults. In December 2002, he was arrested for rape and indecent assault and charged in June 2003. However after new information from the alleged victim, the charges were dropped on 31 July 2003.

 

Further, in Ulrika Jonsson's autobiography released in 2002, it was written that 'an acquaintance' had raped her when she was 19. Television presenter Matthew Wright suggested that Leslie was the alleged perpetrator however Jonsson has never confirmed this. 

 

Mr Leslie has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

 

Whitestone Solicitors

Rochdale