Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood charged with four counts of rape

Ex-BBC Radio 1 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.

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

The oldest of the charges relates to the alleged indecent assault of a 17-year-old girl in the Fulham area of London in 1983.

The oldest rape charge relates to an alleged attack on a female between the age of 17 and 18 in London between 1995 and 1996.

Westwood is also accused of raping a female between the age of 17 and 18 in London between 2000 and 2001, and raping a woman in her 20s in the same city in 2010.

The most recent charge relates to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in her 20s 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."

In 2022, BBC News broadcast accusations by 18 women of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching by Tim Westwood, in alleged incidents from 1992 to 2017.

Westwood has denied claims of misconduct.