Bill Roache’s trial was an insult to real victims of abuse

Lessons need to be learned from the Bill Roache court case saga.

Bill Roache has had the year from hell. His reputation was vilified and he was unable to do the job he loved, entertaining millions as Coronation Street patriarch Ken Barlow.

This week he was cleared of all sexual offence charges and now hopes to rebuild his life, much to the joy and relief of his friends and family, and one woman in particular, his loyal daughter, Verity.

The 32-year-old was by her father’s side during every single moment of the 17-day trial.

She would encouragingly pat him on the back as he headed for the dock and she walked with him to and from court along with his sons, Linus and James.

This show of family solidarity must have been one of the reasons Bill 81, looked so calm and collected. But inside, his stomach must have been churning and his nerves shredded.

It would have been equally as distressing for Verity although, being a chip off the old block, she turned up for court every day looking as immaculate as her dad. It can’t have been easy for her to listen to the accusations levelled at her father.

He was accused of the horrific crime of rape and sexual assault but, as we now know, the jury unanimously found him not guilty.

Verity had to hear the evidence and somehow remain strong and supportive. No wonder she burst into happy tears when he was freed.

Bill is now looking forward to returning to Corrie and I’m sure the team will be thinking up some cracking storylines for the only cast member to have been in the show ever since it was launched back in 1960.

Ken’s absence has been explained away by screen wife Deirdre telling us he has gone to Canada to look after his grandson.

It’ll be interesting to see how Ken is woven back into Corrie and, after his acquittal, one of the first things Bill said was that he wanted to get back to work.

You do have to wonder how this ever got to court in the first place and questions must be asked about the police handling of this high-profile case.

There’s a growing concern that there is some sort of witch hunt of ageing actors and entertainers after the lamentable failure to prosecute the disgusting paedophile Jimmy Savile.

Savile’s victims were let down in the worst possible way, but prosecuting other household names with evidence that doesn’t stand up is not the way forward, and is a real insult to victims of rape and sexual abuse.

They’re the ones who need our help and support in bringing their abusers to justice.

Should all of the current criminal procedings against famous DJs, comedians and celebrities also be thrown out, it could backfire horribly on victims of the most heinous of crimes and that simply cannot be allowed to happen.

Lessons need to be learned and the police and prosecutors have to think more clearly in order for justice to be done.