Stuart Hall, the former BBC presenter known for hosting the gameshow "It's a Knockout" in the 1970s, was jailed in 2013 for indecently assaulting 13 girls between 1967 and 1985. One victim was as young as nine. Hall, now 96, was released in December 2015 after serving half of his sentence.
Unrepentant Attitude
In his first interview after release, Hall attacked his victims, calling them "malicious." He said, "To go from being a national treasure to the bottom of the pond has been very difficult. The vindictive malicious people who have impugned me will think again. I'm hoping for fairness from everybody." This was a stark contrast to the apology issued by his lawyers after his guilty plea.
Extended Sentence
In 2014, Hall had his sentence extended after pleading guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a teenage girl. During his trial, Judge Anthony Russell QC described Hall as an "opportunistic predator" who used his fame and influence to befriend girls before abusing them. The judge noted Hall had a "darker side" and took advantage of his "status as a well-liked celebrity."
Apology and Remorse
After pleading guilty, Hall released a statement through his lawyers saying he "apologised unreservedly" to his victims. The statement read: "Stuart Hall confirms that he has pleaded guilty to fourteen charges of indecent assault. Mr Hall deeply and sincerely regrets his actions. He wishes to issue an unreserved apology to the individuals concerned. He now accepts his behaviour and actions were completely wrong and he is very remorseful." It also added that he asked for privacy and faced punishment "with fortitude and remorse."
Fall from Grace
Hall's arrest in December 2012 prompted him to label the claims as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious." He was stripped of his OBE after his conviction. By November 2016, Hall was pictured by the BBC puffing a cigar outside a rented council house, a far cry from his previous million-pound mansion in Wilmslow, Cheshire. In the weeks before his guilty plea, Hall signed over his house to his wife to protect his fortune from compensation claims.
