Judge sets R. Kelly bail at $1 million in sexual abuse case

R. Kelly’s bail has been set at $1 million (£766,500) after he was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse earlier this week by Cook County's State Attorney.

The abuse is said to have taken place between 1998 and 2010 and involves four separate females. According to the charges, three of the indictments refer to a minor between the ages of 13 and 16.

Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. set the singer’s bail at $1 million – $250,000 for each case – in a courtroom yesterday (Saturday 23) and called the allegations made against Kelly very "disturbing". Kelly was ordered to give up his passport, and have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

The r‘n’b artist, real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, turned himself in on Friday night (February 22) following the charges. He spent the night in custody last night after failing to pay the $100,000 needed to bond out ahead of his trial.

Late last year, a three-part documentary titled Surviving R. Kelly released on Lifetime, and showcased powerful testimonies from alleged former victims of the singer and addressed the rumours of his abuse and predatory behaviour. The following public outcry and cultural blowback caused high-profile artists like Lady Gaga to come forward and apologize for working with R. Kelly in the past, though he has continued to deny the allegations.

Jasmine Kent-Smith is Mixmag's Weekend Editor. Follow her on Twitter

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