DJ Tim Westwood charged with four counts of rape

Ex-BBC Radio 1 and former Capital Xtra DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with four counts of rape, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The 68-year-old has also been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.

The charges related to seven women, with the allegations spanning from 1983 to 2016.

Mr Westwood is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 November.

He has been charged with the following offences:

• In1983, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly indecently assaulted in the Fulham area of London.
• In 1986, a woman in her 20s was allegedly indecently assaulted in the Vauxhall area of London.
• Between 1995 and 1996, a female between the age of 17-18 was allegedly raped in London. It is also alleged that the same woman was indecently assaulted in central London within the same timeframe.
• Between 2000 and 2001, a female between the age of 17-18 was allegedly raped and indecently assaulted in London.
• In 2010, a woman in her 20s was allegedly raped in London.
• In 2010, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in Stroud.
• In 2016, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Finchley area of London.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “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.

“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police continued to appeal for further witnesses, and said: “It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature.”

Mr Westwood was an early champion of hip-hop in the UK and came to public attention when he began hosting his rap show on Radio 1 from 1994.

In 2022, following a joint investigation with the Guardian, BBC News broadcast accusations by 18 women of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching in alleged incidents from 1992 to 2017.

Mr Westwood has denied claims of misconduct.