Metropolitan Police charge Tim Westwood with four counts of rape
The former BBC Radio 1 DJ has also been charged with nine counts of indecent assault
Content Warning: This article includes accounts of sexual assault and may be distressing for some readers.
Tim Westwood has been charged with four counts of rape, a Metropolitan Police statement has confirmed today (October 9)
The disgraced former BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ has also been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and two charges of sexual assault. The charges have been lodged by seven women, with offences allegedly having taken place between 1983 and 2016.
Allegations against Westwood and his conduct during his 19 year career at the BBC were initially investigated by BBC and The Guardian in 2022; last year, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that it was considering charges against Westwood due to a "file of evidence" submitted by the Met Police.
Police have said that investigations into Westwood are ongoing, and have urged anyone with information to contact them via CIT@met.police.uk, insisting that any reports "will be dealt with the strictest confidence by specialist officers."
“It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature," says Met Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy. "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," the statement continues.
"Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”
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."
Tim Westwood has been ordered to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 11.
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[Via: BBC]
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