Barry George, the man cleared of murdering television presenter Jill Dando, has denied raping a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago. The 66-year-old, from County Cork in the Republic of Ireland, entered a not guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to one count of rape and two counts of indecent assault. Appearing via video-link, he also denied an alternative charge of attempted rape.
Allegations date back to 1987
The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of west London between September 6 and 12, 1987. George is next due to appear at the same court on September 30, when a trial date is expected to be set. Judge Alexander Milne KC granted George bail pending that hearing.
Background of the case
George was originally arrested on suspicion of murder in 2000, a year after Ms Dando was killed. He was convicted in 2001, but the conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in November 2007. Following a retrial, a jury cleared him in August 2008. Ms Dando, 37, a former presenter on Crimewatch and one of the BBC's most prominent stars, was shot dead outside her home in Fulham on April 26, 1999. No one has been convicted of her murder since.
