Controversial media personality and former BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra DJ, Tim Westwood, has made his first court appearance after being formally charged with more than 10 sexual offences, including four counts of rape.
The 68-year-old, a well-known figure who helped champion UK hip-hop, attended Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The lengthy list of charges spans a period of 33 years, from 1983 to 2016, and involves seven different women, some of whom were allegedly as young as 17 at the time of the reported incidents.
The Charges
In total, Westwood has been charged with:
• Four counts of rape.
• Nine counts of indecent assault.
• Two counts of sexual assault.
Crucially, the charges include allegations that three accounts of indecent assault took place within BBC studios during the 1990s—a period when Westwood hosted his popular rap show on Radio 1 (1994–2013).
Court Appearance and Next Steps
Wearing a dark grey shirt, Westwood spoke only to confirm his personal details.
While he has not yet been asked to enter a plea, he has previously and repeatedly denied all claims of misconduct against him.
The court granted him bail on the condition that he avoids contact with prosecution witnesses. The case is scheduled to be heard next at Southwark Crown Court on December 8th, where the legal proceedings are set to continue.
Westwood left his long-running show on Capital Xtra in 2022.
