Barry George Faces Rape Charges Decades After Dando Acquittal

Barry George, acquitted in the high-profile murder case of TV presenter Jill Dando, has now been charged with raping a 14-year-old girl nearly four decades ago. The alleged incidents took place in the Hammersmith and Fulham area of west London between September 6 and 12, 1987. George, aged 65 and residing in County Cork, Republic of Ireland, faces serious allegations of rape and two counts of indecent assault against the same minor, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

George appeared before the Old Bailey via video link from Dublin on November 26, 2023, for a plea and case management hearing. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth while dressed in a black jumper over a white shirt. The presiding judge, Mark Lucraft KC, postponed the plea hearing by 12 weeks to February 13, 2024, allowing George to attend via video link again and granting him continued unconditional bail.

The allegations have emerged following an investigation by a dedicated team of detectives from the Metropolitan Police. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy noted, “These charges follow an investigation by a team of Met detectives. Specially trained officers continue to support the woman who has come forward.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that after a thorough review of the evidence, it made the decision to prosecute George. Lionel Idan from CPS London South stated, “We remind all concerned that proceedings are active.”

George’s history is marked by his wrongful conviction for the murder of Jill Dando, who was shot outside her home in Fulham on April 26, 1999. Initially convicted in 2001, his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in November 2007, leading to a retrial in August 2008 where he was acquitted. Dando, 37 at the time of her death, was a prominent figure at the BBC and had recently become engaged to Alan Farthing, with plans to marry in September 1999.

The investigation into Dando’s murder remains open, with no one convicted. Recent inquiries have suggested a potential link between her death and a Serbian assassin, Milorad Ulemek, who is currently serving a 40-year sentence in Serbia for orchestrating murders under the regime of the late dictator Slobodan Milosevic. Witnesses have claimed to have seen Ulemek at the scene of Dando’s murder, prompting calls from some Members of Parliament for the case to be reopened.

At the time of Dando’s murder, UK forces were involved in military operations in Serbia during the Kosovo War. Dando had also been an advocate for Kosovan refugees, which adds another layer to the complexities surrounding her case.

As the legal proceedings against George continue, the focus remains on the ongoing investigation into the unsolved murder of Jill Dando, further complicating a case that has captivated public interest for over two decades.