The Coronation Street star leaves Preston Magistrates Court.
Veteran Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has made his first appearance in court accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in 1967.
Appearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court, the 81-year-old was led into the witness box and confirmed his full name, address and date of birth. Roache was bailed to appear for a preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court on June 10.
Roache arrived at the court just before 9.10am. He entered Court 3 at 10am and then appeared relaxed as he waited patiently for more than five minutes for District Judge Jane Goodwin to come in.
An usher led him into a witness box and the clerk asked for his full name.
He replied: “William Patrick Roache.”
He then confirmed his home address in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and his date of birth, before he was invited to sit down.
Joanna White, prosecuting, did not outline the details of the charges, other to explain that Roache faced two historic counts of rape.
The case will next be heard at Preston Crown Court by Judge Anthony Russell QC.
