The ex-Blue Peter and This Morning star, 54, is alleged to have committed the assault in Westminster in December 2008, when the complainant was 30. Scotland Yard said Leslie, from Edinburgh, was charged with sexual touching of a woman by postal requisition on June 5. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 25. The Metropolitan Police said detectives continue to investigate. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Met Police told Express.co.uk: [Leslie] was charged by postal requisition on Wednesday, 5 June with sexual touching of a woman aged 16 or over, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 25 July at 09:30hrs.
“The allegation relates to an incident in Westminster in December 2008. The victim was aged 30 at the time.”
According to The Independent, the charge alleges Leslie “intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over, and the touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe she was consenting”.
When asked for comment by Express.co.uk, Leslie said: “I am totally innocent of the historic allegation and will be contesting the trial.”
Leslie is a TV and radio presenter who shot to fame on Blue Peter back in the late 80s.
He joined the line-up on the beloved BBC children’s programme in 1989 and soon became a household name.
The star later joined the This Morning team on ITV, presenting one show a week alongside Fern Britton, now 61.
More to follow…