Veteran British hip-hop DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault spanning more than three decades, according to UK police.
The 68-year-old former BBC Radio 1 DJ faces four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault involving seven different women, with alleged incidents occurring between 1983 and 2016.
According to London’s Metropolitan Police, the alleged offences include the indecent assault of a 17-year-old girl in 1983, the rape of a woman aged 17–18 between 1995 and 1996, and another rape involving a woman in her 20s in 2010. Most of the reported assaults allegedly took place in London.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy urged other potential victims or witnesses to come forward, stating that the investigation remains open.
Westwood, who has denied all allegations, is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 11.
Earlier this year, the BBC admitted it “fell short and failed people” after an internal review found evidence of bullying and misogynistic behaviour by Westwood during his tenure at the broadcaster from 1994 to 2013. The investigation followed reports by BBC News and The Guardian in 2022, which detailed several accusations of sexual misconduct.
The BBC has faced multiple sexual misconduct scandals involving top figures in recent years, including Huw Edwards and Jimmy Savile.
Westwood, who hosted MTV UK’s “Pimp My Ride” between 2005 and 2007, was once regarded as one of the most influential figures in UK hip-hop. He is also said to have inspired comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G character.
He is the son of a former Anglican bishop and was previously injured in a drive-by shooting in London in 1999.
