The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Lancashire Police to charge the Coronation Street actor with five counts against four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to recent allegations from four complainants that William Roache indecently assaulted them in the 1960s.
"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with five offences of indecent assault relating to four girls who were aged between 11 or 12 and 16 at the time that the alleged offences happened."
He added: "We have been reviewing evidence and providing early investigative advice to Lancashire Police regarding these allegations, which were made to police after Mr Roache was charged with two offences of rape on May 1, 2013."
The full charges are:
- Two indecent assaults in relation to a 14-year-old girl in 1965
- One indecent assault in relation to a 16-year-old girl in 1965
- One indecent assault in relation to a girl aged 13 or 14 in 1968
- One indecent assault in relation to a girl aged 11 or 12 in 1968
ITV confirm William Roache will remain off-screen while the legal process is ongoing.
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