Daily Gossip
by Jennifer Pinner
Emmerdale star given leave of absence
nuts4chic reported yesterday that actor Ben Freeman, who has been accused of raping a girl in Barbados, was meeting with TV chiefs to see what was left of his soap career.
We can now reveal today that the Emmerdale soap star has asked for a leave of absence while he fights these charges set against him.
Freeman, who plays Scott Windsor in the hit ITV show, was staying at the luxurious Almond Beach Village in Barbados late last month when the alleged incident took place. After being charged with the rape of the 16-year old girl, Ben had to give police his passport and was ordered not to leave the island.
He then had to appear in court in Bridgetown last week where he was told he could return to the UK on a ?25,000 bail, but must return to Barbados for a hearing on March 15.
The alleged incident occurred on November 29 at the aforementioned resort. A new report that has been released indicates that a fellow holiday maker saw Freeman and a young girl having sex on a sun lounger; he claims that the young girl appeared drunk and was left on the lounger by Freeman before returning to her room.
It is believed that the girl’s parents contacted authorities on the island after she claimed to have been raped. After reporting the alleged incident to police, the unnamed teenager was allowed to return home with her parents.
A spokesperson for Emmerdale said yesterday: “Ben Freeman asked for leave of absence to enable him to fight legal proceedings. At Ben’s request, he will stand down from all other engagements including Soapstar Superstar.”
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