TEARS AS LESLIE IS CLEARED
Just 23 minutes for verdict:
FORMER Blue Peter presenter John Leslie has been cleared of grabbing a woman’s breasts at a Christmas party.
Leslie, 55, had been accused of groping the woman after shaking hands with her at the gathering in London’s West End more than a decade ago.
Yesterday a jury at Southwark crown court returned a not guilty verdict after just 23 minutes of deliberations, following a week-long trial.
Leslie had said he could not remember being at the party, and described the allegation of sexual assault on December 5 2008 as ‘crazy’ and ‘ludicrous’.
Giving evidence, he said: ‘I would not have touched her like some mannequin and walked off.’
He told the court he had previously been made out to be an ‘aggressive, sexual monster’ by the tabloid press but denied ever assaulting any woman, saying it is ‘not in my nature’.
Leslie said his life changed completely in 2002 when he was wrongly identified on live television as the unnamed alleged rapist in former girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson’s autobiography.
TV presenter Matthew Wright later apologised, saying he named him in error, while Ms Jonsson has never made any complaint to police, the court heard.
Appearing under his full name John Leslie Stott, he said there had never been any sexual assault allega- tions against him before he was wrongly linked to the book, and described the fallout as ‘Armageddon’.
In 2003, two charges of indecent assault made by one woman were dropped and he left Southwark court having been told he did so ‘without a stain on his character’. He was also arrested in 2008 over an
‘This is the second time you’re leaving court without a stain on your character. I hope it will be the last time you have to attend.’
Judge Deborah Taylor
allegation of rape in 1995, but there was insufficient evidence to charge and no further action was taken. Yesterday, Judge Deborah Taylor said: ‘Mr Stott, you for the second time leave this court without a stain on your character and I hope it will be the last time you have to attend.’
Leslie, of Edinburgh, was supported by former colleagues, including Diane-Louise Jordan, Anthea Turner and ex-This Morning cohost Fern Britton, who gave character references.