Tim Westwood, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ who once dominated the UK hip hop scene, appeared in court today facing a series of grave accusations. The 68-year-old is charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, allegations that span decades and involve seven different women.
Westwood arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court flanked by police, wearing a puffer jacket as he prepared to face the charges. The accusations against him are deeply disturbing, ranging from indecent assaults at the BBC studios in the 1990s to alleged rapes occurring in London hotels and at music festivals.
The charges detail a pattern of alleged offenses stretching from 1983 to 2016. Among the accusations are four counts of rape, two of sexual assault, and nine of indecent assault. The alleged victims include women as young as 17 at the time of the incidents.
This case follows a 2022 investigation by The Guardian and the BBC which brought forth numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Westwood. A BBC review later acknowledged the corporation had not acted decisively enough on earlier concerns regarding his behavior, leading to a formal apology.
Westwood, who voluntarily attended five police interviews since the investigation began, spoke only to confirm his personal details during the court appearance. He was granted conditional bail, with a strict requirement not to contact any potential witnesses.
The former DJ’s career, built over forty years, included nearly two decades hosting the Rap Show on BBC Radio 1 and presenting the popular MTV show, Pimp My Ride UK. His sudden departure from Capital Xtra in 2022 marked the beginning of the end of a once-celebrated public persona.
He is scheduled to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on December 8th. The weight of these accusations casts a long shadow over a figure once synonymous with British hip hop culture, and the legal proceedings promise to be a significant moment for those involved and for the wider public.
The court heard details of alleged incidents occurring across multiple locations and time periods, including London addresses in the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s, as well as a nightclub in Gloucestershire in 2010. The scope of the allegations paints a troubling picture of alleged repeated misconduct.
