William Roache trial: Star 'shocked by rape arrest'
The trial heard William Roache seemed "visibly shocked" when he was arrested Coronation Street star William Roache told police he was "absolutely surprised" and "amazed" when he was first arrested, a jury has heard.
The actor appeared "visibly shocked and broke into a sweat" as he was detained on suspicion of rape, his trial heard.
During police interview, he said it was "against my nature, I'm a very peaceful person", Preston Crown Court was told.
Mr Roache, 81, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, denies two rapes and five indecent assaults between 1965 and 1971.
The charges relate to five women who were aged 16 and under between those dates.
Mr Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the ITV soap, was arrested and cautioned at his home on 1 May last year.
He was then taken in an unmarked vehicle to a police station where the circumstances of the allegations were outlined.
The actor told officers he would "never do anything like that" and when the rape allegation was put to him said: "I totally deny that."
The jury heard Mr Roache told police he did not remember the girl who had accused him of raping her.
The court heard he told them: "It didn't happen because I'd remember it if it had."
Mr Roache told police he had "no recollection" of inviting the girl to his then house in Haslindgen, Lancashire.
'Absolutely horrified'The jury was told Mr Roache also denied having "any kind" of relationships with any girls during that period.
When asked in the police interview whether he could remember whether any young girls would "come on to you", the actor said women would but young girls were just "excited children".
Mr Roache said there may have been a "flirty comment" in getting an autograph "but not in a sustained way", the court heard.
Police asked Mr Roache why the woman may have made the allegation, and he said: "A lot of people are coming out and accusing celebrities of these things for various reasons."
He said the woman may want a "moment of fame" and said: "There's some hope of selling articles to the newspaper".
He added: "I was always polite and friendly with the viewers and people in the street. I have no idea why she would come up with this."
"I don't know what the motivation might be I'm absolutely horrified at the whole thing," Mr Roache said to police.
The trial continues.
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