Tim Westwood, a former BBC DJ, is facing serious legal charges related to allegations of rape and sexual assault. The charges involve seven women, some as young as 17, with incidents reportedly occurring between 1983 and 2016.
Charges Against Tim Westwood
The 68-year-old Westwood appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday. He has been charged with:
- Four counts of rape
- Nine counts of indecent assault
- Two counts of sexual assault
These allegations cover a wide time frame, reflecting his two-decade career at the BBC. Specifically, they involve incidents in various locations, primarily in London.
Details of Allegations
The alleged offences span several years:
- In 1983, he is accused of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Fulham, London.
- In 1986, another woman in her 20s allegedly faced indecent assault in Vauxhall, London.
- Between 1995 and 1996, Westwood is accused of raping a woman aged 17 to 18.
- He allegedly raped a woman in her 20s in 2010.
- Two additional incidents of sexual assault reportedly occurred in Stroud and Finchley, London, in 2010 and 2016, respectively.
Law Enforcement Response
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy emphasized the bravery of individuals coming forward with such allegations. He noted that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with relevant information to assist in the inquiry.
BBC’s Response
Following the allegations, the BBC Board issued an apology, acknowledging that they did not take appropriate action when concerns regarding Westwood’s behavior were raised.
Tim Westwood’s Denial
Westwood has strongly denied all allegations of inappropriate behavior. He stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April 2022. Before that, he was a prominent figure on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra for nearly 20 years and hosted the MTV UK show “Pimp My Ride UK” from 2005 to 2007.
