Veteran British TV host Stuart Hall jailed for indecent assault of girls

Veteran British television and radio presenter Stuart Hall was jailed for 15 months yesterday after admitting 14 charges of indecently assaulting girls as young as nine.

Prosecutors said the 83-year-old, who presented the hit BBC television show It's a Knockout in the 1970s and 1980s, was an "opportunistic predator" who befriended his victims before assaulting them.

The abuse surfaced following a police investigation into revelations about late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile, now believed to be one of Britain's worst-ever sex offenders.

Judge Anthony Russell said during sentencing that the broadcaster was known for his genial personality. "The general public now know that there is a darker side to you, one hidden from the public view until now - and a side which you were able to conceal, taking advantage of your status as a well-liked celebrity.

"Several of these cases reveal an abuse of power by you because your status gave you an influence and standing which you abused."

Many of Hall's victims were sitting behind him in the public gallery. The judge noted that "nearly every victim was a child" at the time.