Man cleared of Jill Dando murder now charged with rape and two counts of indecent assault

A man cleared of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando has been charged with rape and indecent assault.

Barry George was jailed over the BBC journalist's death in 2001 but was acquitted in 2008 after a retrial.

Separately, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has today confirmed it has charged George, aged 65, with rape and two counts of indecent assault.

The allegations relate to offences that took place in 1987, it said.

George will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court next month.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, said: “Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has taken the decision to prosecute Barry George, 65, on charges of rape and two counts of indecent assault.

“These relate to non-recent allegations that took place in 1987 against a woman who was a teenager at the time.

“He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 29."

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Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police, said: “These charges follow an investigation by a team of Met detectives.

“Specially trained officers continue to support the woman who has come forward.”

Former Crimewatch presenter Ms Dando was shot outside her west London home in April 1999.

George, who lived nearby at the time, was arrested in the weeks after her death.

His murder conviction was later quashed by the Court of Appeal.

No other suspect has yet been charged with Ms Dando's murder.