Ex-TV Weatherman Fred Talbot Gets Jail Term

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

Former TV weather presenter Fred Talbot has been jailed for five years for indecently assaulting two schoolboys.

Talbot assaulted the pupils, aged 14 and 15, from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in the 1970s, during his former career as a biology teacher.

Judge Timothy Mort at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court told Talbot: "You deliberately and indecently assaulted the two of them for your own gratification.

"You are a man of 65 with no previous convictions. You have been convicted by a jury from clear evidence of indecently assaulting two boys when you were a teacher."

Referring to Talbot's teaching style, Judge Mort said it was "different" and "less formal" than others which made him a "popular" teacher.

1/6

Gallery: Diaries Seized By Cops Helped Convict Talbot

]]>

The judge told how Talbot had taken pupils on as many as 38 trips and the offences were not isolated incidents.

"You had, on other occasions, abused your position to offend," the judge said.

Speaking later outside the court, Detective Chief Inspector Graham Brock, of Greater Manchester Police, said:"Fred Talbot is a likeable man, however there is a devious element to him.

"He clearly orchestrated these situations to satisfy his own sexual urges and put himself in these positions with these young boys."

The detective added: "On behalf of the two victims, I am sure they will be delighted they have received just reward and be happy with this verdict.

"At long last Fred has received the punishment he deserves."

During his trial, Talbot, 65, who was known to millions for his forecasts on a floating weather map for ITV's This Morning show, was described as a "chancer".

He was said to have been "obsessed" with teenage boys and "could not help himself", particularly when he had been drinking.

Victims described how they were forced to sleep naked with him during school trips on canal barges.

One told how boys would take turns to sleep in his bed on one of the trips, and that at one stage Talbot "started talking to me about sexual stuff" before assaulting him.

Talbot resigned in disgrace from the school in 1984 after making indecent comments to two 15-year-old pupils, but hid his past when his TV break came a year later.

Meanwhile, police investigating alleged historical abuse involving Talbot have submitted a report to Scottish prosecutors.

The allegations are said to relate to events over a 13-year period, from 1968 to 1981.

The report was received from Police Scotland on Thursday and is currently being considered by the Procurator Fiscal.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Usia Belajar