Legendary radio voice charged with multiple sexual offences spanning 33 years

By Maan

Yesterday at 11:20 AM
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TV & Movies

Legendary radio voice charged with multiple sexual offences spanning 33 years

By Maan
Yesterday at 11:20 AM

Legendary DJ faces decades-old sexual offence charges. Image source: Facebook/BBC

Legendary radio voice charged with multiple sexual offences spanning 33 years — Legendary DJ faces decades-old sexual offence charges. Image source: Facebook/BBC

Content warning: This article contains details of sexual assault allegations.

The UK music scene is facing a moment of reckoning.

Tim Westwood, once a towering figure in British hip-hop, now stands charged with serious sexual offences spanning more than three decades.

British DJ Tim Westwood, 68, was formally charged yesterday with multiple sexual offences allegedly committed over 33 years.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 10 November 2025, facing what prosecutors describe as a pattern of alleged criminal behaviour stretching from 1983 to 2016.

Westwood faces four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault.

The charges relate to seven women in London, with the earliest dating back to the alleged indecent assault of a 17-year-old girl in 1983.

For many Australians who followed UK music, Westwood was a familiar name, described by The Guardian in 2022 as 'a veteran of the hip-hop scene whose opinions have been able to make or break upcoming artists for more than 30 years'.

He moved to BBC Radio 1 in 1994, launching The Rap Show, which became one of the UK's most influential hip-hop and R&B platforms.

The programme hosted artists such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and Kanye West and shaped British urban radio for nearly 20 years.

Westwood also brought his larger-than-life personality to television, hosting the MTV series Pimp My Ride UK from 2005 to 2007.

The charges stem from allegations that emerged in 2022 following a joint investigation by the BBC and The Guardian.

Seven Black women came forward, alleging sexual touching and misconduct by Westwood between 1992 and 2017.

These accounts were highlighted in the BBC Three documentary Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power.

'It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature.'

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, Metropolitan Police

Westwood allegedly raped three women between 1995 and 2010, during his tenure as a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ.

He left the BBC in 2013.

A BBC board report noted that alleged incidents were 'treated in isolation rather than being brought together', missing a 'pattern of behavior that it could have acted on'.

The BBC commissioned an independent investigation led by King's Counsel Gemma White, published in February 2025, which included 22 allegations—only two of which were previously reported.

This raises broader questions about how major institutions identify and respond to patterns of concerning behaviour.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Lionel Idan said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Tim Westwood for a series of serious sexual offences. Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings'.

The Crown Prosecution Service reminded the public that 'criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings'.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy emphasised: 'The women who have done so have put their trust in us and we continue to provide them with all available support. Our investigation remains open and we'd encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us'.

Australian readers affected by similar situations can seek confidential support through 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), available 24/7.

Westwood has denied all allegations, and the outcome will be determined through the courts.

In November 2024, the Metropolitan Police submitted evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, demonstrating the thorough investigative process behind the charges.

This case marks a critical moment in discussions of power, privilege, and accountability in the entertainment industry.

What This Means For You

Tim Westwood faces multiple sexual offence charges spanning 33 years, involving seven women and including rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault.

Previous BBC investigations failed to identify patterns of alleged misconduct, raising serious questions about institutional accountability.

This case highlights the importance of supporting survivors and ensuring that powerful figures are held responsible for their actions.

For audiences who grew up listening to influential radio personalities, it serves as a reminder that trust in public figures should be balanced with vigilance, and that institutions must take allegations seriously to protect those who come forward.

Cases involving high-profile figures facing serious allegations can often reveal patterns of institutional failure and public scrutiny.

Exploring similar situations helps provide context on how power and privilege intersect with accountability.

One such case offers a striking parallel that sheds light on the complexities of justice and oversight.

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[URL='https://www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/crown-prosecution-services-announces-tim-westwood-charged-rape[/URL']https://www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/crown-prosecution-services-announces-tim-westwood-charged-rape[/URL

[URL='https://news.met.police.uk/news/tim-westwood-charged-by-the-metropolitan-police-service-501965[/URL']https://news.met.police.uk/news/tim-westwood-charged-by-the-metropolitan-police-service-501965[/URL

[URL='https://deadline.com/2025/10/tim-westwood-charged-rape-sexual-assault-1236574488/[/URL']https://deadline.com/2025/10/tim-westwood-charged-rape-sexual-assault-1236574488/[/URL

[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL

[URL='https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/10/tim-westwood-faces-charges-over-sexual-offences/[/URL']https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/10/tim-westwood-faces-charges-over-sexual-offences/[/URL

[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL

[URL='https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/tim-westwood-charged-with-four-counts-of-rape-1236544282/[/URL']https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/tim-westwood-charged-with-four-counts-of-rape-1236544282/[/URL

[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL

[URL='https://deadline.com/2025/10/tim-westwood-charged-rape-sexual-assault-1236574488/[/URL']https://deadline.com/2025/10/tim-westwood-charged-rape-sexual-assault-1236574488/[/URL

[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL

[URL='https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/tim-westwood-charged-rape-1236085723/[/URL']https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/tim-westwood-charged-rape-1236085723/[/URL

[URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Westwood[/URL

Losing access to trusted institutions or platforms can feel like betrayal—how can organisations better protect those who come forward?

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