Girl 'raped by Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell' had no injuries, jury is told by doctor who examined her

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell arrives at Manchester Crown Court for the third day of his trial

The girl allegedly raped by Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell showed no signs of injury during physical examination, according to a medical expert.

The girl claimed she had been raped at the age of six, nine and 10 during years of sexual abuse at the hands of the soap star.

But during a full intimate medical examination a doctor found no evidence of injury that could be directly attributed to a sexual assault or rape.

Dr Louise O’Connor said that during examination she found no evidence of physical injury that would support or negate claims of sexual abuse.

She said: ‘Having no injuries certainly does not negate any of those allegations - a significant number of children and young people who make allegations of assault and come to us to be examined will not have any injuries.’

Le Vell, 48, who has played garage mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV1 soap for 30 years, is facing a total of 12 sex charges.

He is accused of five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Dressed in a blue suit and shirt - who was charged under his real name of Michael Turner - sat in the dock as the doctor gave evidence.

The jury at Manchester Crown Court was told the physical examination took place two years after the last alleged sexual assault had occurred.

Dr O’Connor, a paediatric consultant, examined the girl at the St Mary’s Sexual Assault Centre in Manchester after the alleged victim made the allegations in October 2011.




A court picture of Le Vell from yesterday. Le Vell, who is on trial under his real name of Michael Turner, denies the offences saying they are 'an absolute pack of lies'





Le Vell is accused of five counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two counts of sexual activity with a child and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He denies all the charges




Le Vell was seen in Manchester alongside his brother Phil before the third day of his trial






Le Vell, 48, who has played garage mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap for 30 years, is facing a total of 12 sex charges

She said she cooperated throughout the intimate physical examination though was in some discomfort during certain procedures.

She said the girl suffered from a hereditary condition - lichen sclerosis - that could make the skin prone to irritation and infection.



Le Vell (left) who has been charged under his real name of Michael Turner, has been accused of raping the girl as she clutched a teddy bear

But Dr O’Connor said that during the examination she could find no clear evidence of physical injury that would support claims of sexual assault.

She said: ‘We can’t say that lichen sclerosis supports the allegations of sexual abuse. However the symptoms can be triggered by friction or rubbing.’

The court heard the last alleged sexual assault had occurred some two years earlier and physical injury could have completely healed.

Dr O’Connor said quite serious injury and laceration could have healed without leaving any noticeable scarring on medical examination.

She added: ‘The timing of an examination is most important in dating injuries. Injuries heal up quickly, certain injuries persist.

'The medical findings are neutral and neither support or refute the allegations.’

Earlier the jury were told the 48-year-old married actor had repeatedly raped and sexually abused the girl from the age of six.

On one occasion he allegedly held her favourite teddy bear over her mouth to ensure she remained silent while he raped her.

The court also heard the girl revealed she had been raped while attending a motivational conference hosted by a woman who had herself been raped as a young child.

The teenager had travelled to the self-help conference with her mother and the pair had attended workshops and seminars separately.

But during a scheduled break in the day the girl broke the news to her mother and told her it had been going on for years and years.

Le Vell was initially arrested in 2011 but the case was dropped only for him to be re-arrested and charged in the light of fresh evidence last year.

One of the longest-serving actors on Coronation Street, he has been suspended from the show until the conclusion of the case.

The case continues.



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