EastEnders ‘teenage sex’ trial delayed

THE trial of a former EastEnders actor accused of sexual offences against four teenage girls has been delayed.

Joseph Shade ( above), 24, who played Peter Beale in the soap from 1998 to 2004, denies 11 counts of sexual abuse.

The trial of the youth worker was due to start yesterday at Norwich Crown Court, but the jury has been stood down until today.

Shade is accused of sexual offences against four girls aged between 13 and 17, with the alleged offending taking place between 2012 and 2015.

The defendant, who is on bail, denies six counts of causing or inciting a child under 18 to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust, four counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The trial of Shade, of Sheringham, Norfolk, is expected to last six days. FEMALE adders can go 18 months without eating.