Stuart Hall: I indecently assaulted 13 girls, youngest only nine

The sex offences took place between 1967 and 1986.

Despite previous vociferous public denials of any wrongdoing, Hall calmly and repeatedly answered "guilty" when the charges were put to him at the hearing on April 16.

Sat in front of the dock with his legal representatives, he confirmed his full name of James Stuart Hall to the clerk in the plea hearing.

He then stood up as he uttered the single damning word which has now ruined his reputation.

The Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, told him he would be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register. He was told a notice which he needed to fill in would be sent to his home in Cheshire within days..

A brief outline of the abuse suffered by three of his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was outlined at an earlier hearing at Preston Magistrates' Court.

In the 1980s Hall molested a nine-year-old girl by putting his hand up her clothing.

He also kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips after he said to her: "People need to show thanks in other ways."

On another occasion in the 1970s he fondled the breast of a girl aged 16 or 17.

Hall was charged with those three offences on the same day as was arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on December 5 last year.

The BBC said at the time that the former It's A Knockout presenter, a regular football match summariser on Radio 5 Live, would not work for the corporation until the matter was resolved.

He was subsequently charged with historic sex offences against 10 more girls and the rape of a 22-year-old woman.

Following those allegations, Hall read out a strident condemnation to reporters in which he labelled the claims as "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious".

He said he had endured "a living nightmare" and but for his "very loving family" may have considered taking his own life.

Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was awarded an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

He also wrote a weekly sport column for the Radio Times magazine up until his arrest.

Hall was granted bail until his sentencing date on June 17.

Judge Russell told him that all sentencing options remain open including immediate custody.

Hall's barrister, Crispin Aylett QC, said: "The defendant is, of course, sorry for what he has done. Through me he wishes to apologise to his victims.

"He is not a man easily moved to self pity but he is only too aware his disgrace is complete."

An order made under Section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 was lifted today so that the pleas could be reported.

It was to avoid prejudicing a possible future trial on a count of rape and three separate counts of indecent assault which Hall had denied last month.

Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said the Crown was satisfied those four counts could lie on file after it was given consideration at "the most senior level" of the Crown Prosecution Service.

The decision on the rape charge was met with the "full approval" of the complainant, he added.

Hall was described as an "opportunistic predator" by Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for the North West.

Outside court he said: "We prosecuted Stuart Hall because the evidence of the victims clearly established a pattern of behaviour that was unlawful and for which no innocent explanation could be offered.

"His victims did not know each other and almost two decades separated the first and last assaults but almost all of the victims, including one who was only nine at the time of the assault, provided strikingly similar accounts. Whether in public or private, Hall would first approach under friendly pretences and then bide his time until the victim was isolated. He can only be described as an opportunistic predator."

He added: "We have this week met with the woman who alleged that she had been raped by Stuart Hall, a charge which he has denied. The welfare of complainants is a top priority for us and we always take their concerns into account. In light of the guilty pleas already entered, the complainant no longer wishes to give evidence on the allegation of rape, and we have concluded that it would not be in the public interest to take steps to make her give evidence in court. As such, we will not be proceeding with this charge.

"I would like to thank the victims for having had the bravery to come forward. This case clearly shows that the victims of abuse will not be denied justice by the passage of time and abusers will be held to account."

Hall did not comment on the case as he left court accompanied by his legal team, saying only to waiting reporters that he had a "terrible cold".

He was surrounded by a media scrum as he was led into a waiting taxi.

Lancashire Constabulary thanked Hall's victims for their "bravery" in reporting what had happened.

Detective chief inspector Neil Esseen, of the force's major investigation team, said after today's hearing: "The admissions of Mr Hall will at least spare his victims the ordeal of having to recount their abuse at a trial.

"They have lived with what happened for a long period of time and it cannot have been easy for them to come forward, especially as when they did so, they did not know there were others who had also suffered abuse.

"I would personally like to pay tribute to the victims for their bravery in coming forward to report these crimes.

"The fact that these convictions have come a long time after they were committed shows that we will always take any allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and will investigate them thoroughly no matter how long ago they happened. We will always strive to protect our communities, no matter the status of the alleged perpetrator.

"I would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse or who has been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge it will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."

The hearing began as Hall sat next to his legal representatives and was asked by the clerk: "Are you James Stuart Hall?"

He stood up and replied: "Yes I am."

Mr Wright explained the offences the defendant admitted involved "predominately adolescent and pre-pubescent children".

In regard to the rape count, the pleas already entered by Hall and the views of the complainant were taken into account in letting the matter lie on file.

"She has been spoken to by the senior (police) investigating officer," he said, "and by the lawyer responsible for the case, and indeed her case has been considered at the most senior level of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The complainant is aware of the pleas that have been tendered by this defendant. The prosecution therefore take the view in regard to all these factors it is not now necessary to proceed to trial on this remaining count."

The three counts of indecent assault that were also allowed to lie on file were in relation to the same complainant.

Hall had already pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on the same victim.

Mr Aylett said he proposed to present a "full mitigation in due course" at the sentencing hearing but he said he wished to make a few points today.

He said the guilty pleas were the best possible mitigation.

He continued: "The most recent offence took place in 1986, that is 27 years ago. The first offence in 1968 is almost half a century ago.

"The defendant is now 83 years of age and of otherwise exemplary character, and as might be imagined this investigation has come as an especially bitter blow at this stage of his life.

"These are not specimen counts relating to a course of conduct. In respect of all but one of the victims these are isolated offences. Each one a one-off."

He said Hall "desisted" in each instance when met with the "merest suggestion of discouragement".

Mr Aylett said that as many as 12 of the 14 counts of indecent assault "would not or might not cross the threshold for custody".

They involved touching outside of the clothing, kissing and touching the bare skin but not genitalia, he said.

The other two counts involved indecent penetration, the court heard.

Mr Aylett added: "In a number of cases the parents of complainants were aware at the time what was said to have taken place."

They chose to keep their children away from the defendant in future, he said.

Judge Russell granted Hall bail on condition of residence at his home address and no unsupervised contact with children.

As he ordered pre-sentence reports from the Probation Service, the judge told Hall: "You must understand I have not made up my mind and that all sentencing options including immediate custody are open.

"I genuinely have not made up my mind."

The BBC said it would not be featuring Hall again in its programmes.

He was a regular contributor to Radio 5 Live prior to his arrest.

In a statement, the BBC said: "In light of today's events, Stuart Hall will no longer be contracted by the BBC."

Jon Brown, head of the NSPCC's sexual abuse programme, said: "These guilty pleas will hopefully encourage more victims of sexual abuse to come forward so they can finally get the justice they deserve. Even where allegations relate to the distant past they should be thoroughly investigated.

"Sexual abuse can scar children for life leaving them needing counselling to recover from their ordeal. It is only right they should know their abuser has been brought to account. If they can find the courage to speak out it will also help protect other children who otherwise may have become victims as well."

Richard Scorer, a specialist in abuse cases at Manchester law firm Pannone, which is representing 43 victims of Jimmy Savile, commented: "This demonstrates the seriousness with which the police now deal with allegations of abuse.

"Undoubtedly, the Savile scandal and subsequent revelations of alleged abuse by high profile personalities has changed the legal climate. Victims are less frightened of coming forward, but is not just showbiz stars and personalities who need to be worried about past misdeeds.

"Anyone who used their position of power to abuse vulnerable children and young people can and will be found out sooner or later. Victims deserve to be heard and deserve justice."

He added: "Another milestone has been reached in bringing to justice child abusers. All right-thinking people must have a sense of revulsion with what seems like never ending revelations of child abuse, but justice delayed is justice denied.

"Child abusers appear to delude themselves in thinking that they can abuse with impunity and will never be caught. This case demonstrates that if victims are supported and their cases thoroughly examined abusers can be brought to account for their pernicious crimes."

The BBC also added its concerns for the victims of its former presenter.

It said: "The BBC is appalled by the disgraceful actions of Stuart Hall and we would like to express our sympathy to his victims.

"We will continue to work with the police to assist them in this and any other enquiries they are making."

Sex offender Stuart Hall "sincerely regrets his actions", his lawyers said today.

In a statement on his behalf, Brabners Chaffe Street said: "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.

"Mr Hall also wishes to apologise to his family, friends and supportive members of the public for whom he has high regard and respect.

"The last five months have been a strain and an ordeal for his family, who are standing by him. He asks for privacy during the next few weeks and he emphasises that he is contrite and faces punishment with fortitude and remorse.

"Mr Hall will not be making any further comment at this stage."

Earlier in court, his barrister Crispin Aylett also apologised on his behalf.

The QC said: "The defendant is, of course, sorry for what he has done. Through me he wishes to apologise to his victims.

"He is not a man easily moved to self pity but he is only too aware his disgrace is complete."

Hall said nothing as he left court accompanied by his legal team, other than to indicate he had a "terrible cold".