Former BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra DJ Tim Westwood, 68, has been granted conditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving seven women.

The Suffolk-born musician has been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. The allegations made against Westwood span widely from 1983 to 2016, with the alleged victims being as young as 17. In 1983, a 17-year-old girl alleges she was indecently assaulted by Westwood in the Fulham area of London. In 1986, a woman in her 20s alleges that she was indecently assaulted in the Vauxhall area of London. Between 1995 and 1996, a female between the age of 17-18 alleges she was raped in London. It is also alleged that the same woman was indecently assaulted in central London within the same timeframe.

Between 2000 and 2001, a female between the age of 17-18 alleges she was raped and indecently assaulted in London. In 2010, a woman in her 20s claims she was raped in London. In 2010, a woman in her 20s says she was sexually assaulted in Stroud. In 2016, a woman in her 20s alleges she was sexually assaulted in the Finchley area of London. All alleged assaults took place in and around London, which has been Westwood’s home and career playground for several decades.

Mr. Westwood has been a pioneer of rap and hip-hop in the UK and gave a platform to many urban British artists, including Skepta, Chip, and Icekid. Westwood joined Radio 1 to host his rap show in 1994. Three of the counts of indecent assault are alleged to have taken place in BBC studios during this decade. He left in 2013 and then hosted his popular radio show on Capital Xtra until 2022.

Westwood was granted bail at a hearing at Westminster on Monday. Westwood, who recently returned from working in Nigeria, wore a dark shirt as he appeared before the court and spoke only to confirm his personal details. He was not required to enter a plea but has previously denied claims of misconduct.

The court heard that Westwood has voluntarily attended five police interviews since the investigation began. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted Westwood bail on the condition that he does not contact any of the prosecution witnesses, with the case set to move to Southwark Crown Court on 8 December.