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Former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie charged with sexual assault

The 52-year-old denies allegation

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Former television presenter John Leslie has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a nightclub in Edinburgh.

The 52-year-old former Blue Peter and Wheel of Fortune star is alleged to have put his hand up the woman’s skirt.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place at Atik in Tollcross while the 26-year-old woman was out on a hen night.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh have charged a 52-year-old man following a report that a 26-year-old woman was the victim of a sexual assault at a nightclub in the Tollcross area on Sunday June 25.”

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “The procurator fiscal has received a report concerning a 52-year-old male, in connection with an alleged incident in Edinburgh on June 25 2017.

“The report is currently under consideration by the procurator fiscal.”

Leslie has issued a statement denying the allegation.

He told the Sunday People: “I totally deny the allegation that has been made. I have not done anything wrong.”

He added that CCTV evidence possessed by his lawyers will clear his name – but the allegations have apparently resulted in him being forced turn down a £500,000 offer to be on Celebrity Big Brother.

His lawyer, Mark Harrower, added: “CCTV cameras captured the whole event and the footage has been submitted by us along with ­witness statements to the procurator fiscal for consideration.

“In my view it is entirely consistent with my client’s account of events.”


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief