Ex-Eastenders Star Arrives At Court On Sexual Abuse Charges

A former EastEnders actor is to stand trial accused of sexually abusing four teenage girls. Joseph Shade, 24, who played Peter Beale in the soap from 1998 to 2004, denies 11 counts of sexual abuse.

The youth worker is accused of sexual offences against four girls aged between 13 and 17, with the alleged offending taking place between 2012 and 2015.

The defendant, who is on bail, denies six counts of causing or inciting a child under 18 to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust, four counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Shade, of Cliff Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, is to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday for a trial, which is estimated to last five to six days.


He was charged with all 11 counts in October last year following an investigation by Norfolk Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

At a 10-minute hearing in December 2016, Shade's barrister asked for his trial to be held as soon as possible, but July 31 was the earliest date available.

However, yesterday's trial start was postponed until today.

Shade left EastEnders in 2004 and fell out of acting, reappearing on the small screen just once in 2012 in archived footage for the Farewell Pat special, dedicated to Walford icon Pat Butcher.

Shade denies all charges. The trial continues.