DJ Tim Westwood charged with rape and sexual offences against seven women

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ and Pimp My Ride presenter Tim Westwood has been charged with sexual offences against seven women.

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed charges include four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault, between 1983 and 2016.

Westwood, 68, who is known for MTV UK show Pimp My Ride and his Radio 1 rap show, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 10 to face the charges.

The DJ is charged with indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Fulham, London, in 1983 and indecently assaulting a woman in her 20s in Vauxhall in 1986.

Between 1995 and 1996, he is charged with raping and indecently assaulting a woman who was between the ages of 17 and 18 at the time.

Westwood is alleged to have raped and indecently assaulted a woman aged 17 to 18 between 2000 and 2001 and raped a woman in her 20s in 2010 – with the alleged offences also reported to have taken place in London.

He is further accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in Stroud, Gloucestershire, in 2010 and sexually assaulting another woman in her 20s in the Finchley area of London in 2016.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said: ‘It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature. The women who have done so have put their trust in us and we continue to provide them with all available support.

‘Our investigation remains open and we’d encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [email protected]. Any reports will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by specialist officers.’

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Tim Westwood for a series of serious sexual offences.

‘Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.’

Westwood dominated the UK hip hop scene for 40 years and presented BBC Radio 1’s Rap Show for almost two decades before moving to Capital Xtra in 2013.

In 2022, a joint investigation by The Guardian and BBC brought to light a number of accusations of sexual misconduct against Westwood, all of which he strenuously denied.

Six women spoke out about their experiences in the BBC Three documentary, Abuse of Power.

The BBC Board previously apologised following a review which said the corporation ‘did not take adequate action’ after learning of concerns regarding the hip hop DJ’s alleged behaviour.

In response to historical sexual abuse allegations, Westwood has previously said he ‘strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour’.

He stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April 2022.

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