Headlines
Ex-BBC Radio DJ Westwood pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 8, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 8, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Tim Westwood, former BBC DJ, pleads not guilty to 15 sexual offences, including rape, in London. Trial set for January 2027.
LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Former BBC Radio DJ Tim Westwood on Monday pleaded not guilty to 15 sexual offences, including four counts of rape, allegedly committed over a period of more than 30 years.
Westwood, a prominent figure in British hip-hop, is accused of sexual offences against seven women between 1983 and 2016.
The 68-year-old is charged with nine counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault and four counts of rape.
Three counts of indecent assault relate to one complainant Westwood allegedly assaulted at BBC Studios, according to the indictment.
Westwood appeared at London's Southwark Crown Court and spoke only to confirm his name and enter his not guilty pleas.
He was granted bail until his trial, which is due to begin in January 2027.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young)
Rape is a criminal offense involving non-consensual sexual intercourse or penetration. It is a serious violation of an individual's autonomy and can have severe psychological and physical effects on the victim.
Sexual assault refers to any non-consensual sexual act or behavior, including unwanted touching or coercion. It encompasses a range of offenses and is considered a serious crime.
Bail is a legal mechanism that allows a person accused of a crime to be released from custody, usually after paying a specified amount of money, while awaiting trial.
An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, typically issued by a grand jury. It signifies that there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.
A trial is a legal proceeding in which evidence is presented to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant. It involves a judge, and often a jury, who evaluate the case based on the law.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
