On Monday (Dec. 8), former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood pleaded not responsible at a court docket listening to in the UK to a number of costs of rape and sexual assault. The media character had appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket final month to substantiate his identify, date of delivery, and tackle after being formally charged in October.

The 68-year-old arrived at Southwark Legal Court docket in a plain burgundy shirt and black denims, and didn’t converse besides to substantiate his identify and enter his plea. He’s dealing with 4 counts of rape, 9 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.

The incidents are believed to have taken place between 1983 and 2016, with just a few of the seven victims believed to have been 17 on the time. Three of these incidents are alleged to have taken place in BBC Studios in 1996, with one of many victims who was between 17-18 reportedly assaulted twice in central London in 1995 and 1996, based on authorities. Westwood hosted reveals on Radio 1 from 1994 to 2013, earlier than leaving to host a present on Capital Xtra till April 2022.

“It takes braveness to come back ahead and report allegations of this nature,” stated Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy. “The ladies who’ve executed so have put their belief in us and we proceed to supply them with all out there help. Our investigation stays open and we’d encourage anybody who has been impacted by this case or anybody with info to come back ahead and converse with us.”

Westwood, an early champion of Hip-Hop in the UK, has vehemently denied assaulting anybody, beforehand stating that “It’s all false allegations.” He’s presently free on conditional bail, which was given at his November listening to. Presently, his jury trial has been set for January 2027.