On December 8, 2025, former BBC Radio 1 and Capital Xtra DJ Tim Westwood appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he pleaded not guilty to a string of serious sexual offences, including rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault. The 68-year-old broadcaster, once a pioneering figure in the UK hip-hop scene, now faces 15 charges relating to alleged offences against seven women, some as young as 17, spanning more than three decades from 1983 to 2016.
Westwood, who was dressed in black jeans and a burgundy (or maroon) shirt, sat in the dock with his hands clasped in front of him. According to BBC News, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas. The charges against him are grave: four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault. The details, outlined in court and reported by The Independent, paint a picture of alleged offending stretching across London and beyond, including incidents said to have taken place in BBC studios in the 1990s and at a nightclub in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
The prosecution alleges that Westwood committed the following offences: indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Fulham in 1983; indecently assaulting a woman in her 20s in Vauxhall in 1986; raping and indecently assaulting a female aged 17-18 in London between 1995 and 1996 (with one alleged rape occurring in a hotel in 1996); raping and indecently assaulting another female aged 17-18 in London between 2000 and 2001; raping a woman in her 20s in London in 2010; sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in Stroud in 2010; and sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in Finchley in 2016. Three of the indecent assault charges are alleged to have occurred at BBC studios in the 1990s, a detail that has drawn particular scrutiny.
Westwood’s legal team entered not guilty pleas to all charges. The court set a provisional trial date for January 25, 2027, and granted Westwood bail with a strict condition that he must not contact any of the complainants or witnesses. Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, presided over the hearing and confirmed these arrangements. As Evening Standard reported, Westwood was flanked by security officers as he arrived at court, underscoring the high-profile nature of the case.
Westwood’s arrest and subsequent charges have sent shockwaves through the British music and broadcasting industries. Once hailed as a trailblazer who brought hip-hop and grime to mainstream UK audiences, Westwood’s career spanned decades and included hosting flagship shows on BBC Radio 1 from 1994 to 2013 and later on Capital Xtra until April 2022. He also presented the UK version of MTV’s Pimp My Ride from 2005 to 2007, and was credited with championing the early work of artists like Skepta, Stormzy, and Giggs. His influence was recognized with multiple MOBO awards and a reputation for being at the forefront of urban music in Britain.
However, Westwood’s legacy has been clouded by the mounting allegations. According to The Guardian, the BBC Board previously apologized for not taking “adequate action” after concerns about Westwood’s behavior surfaced. The corporation’s review found that it had failed to respond robustly when confronted with complaints regarding the DJ’s conduct. As a result, Westwood stepped down from his Capital Xtra show in April 2022, ending his long run as a prominent figure on UK radio.
Westwood, originally from Suffolk and the son of the former Anglican Bishop of Peterborough, Bill Westwood, began his career in the early 1980s. He first gained attention on pirate radio stations and then on LWR, Kiss FM, and Capital Radio, before moving to the BBC. Over the years, he became known for his energetic style and for helping to bridge transatlantic musical influences, bringing American hip-hop acts to the attention of British audiences and supporting homegrown talent.
The details of the allegations, as outlined in court and reported across outlets like BBC News, The Independent, and Evening Standard, are both disturbing and complex. Prosecutors allege that Westwood kissed, groped, and forced himself on women without their consent, sometimes in professional environments like the BBC studios. The alleged offences took place in various locations across London, including Fulham, Vauxhall, central London, and Finchley, as well as outside the capital in Stroud, Gloucestershire. The timeline of the accusations, stretching from the early 1980s to as recently as 2016, reflects the enduring impact and seriousness of the claims.
Westwood has consistently denied all allegations of inappropriate behavior and wrongdoing. As reported by Evening Standard, he has previously stated that he “strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.” His legal team maintains his innocence, and the DJ himself has so far limited his public comments to formal court statements.
The case has also reignited debate about institutional accountability and the responsibilities of major broadcasters like the BBC. The corporation’s previous apology, following the internal review, acknowledged shortcomings in addressing complaints and supporting those who came forward. For many observers, the Westwood case has become emblematic of broader issues within the entertainment industry, where allegations of sexual misconduct have historically been mishandled or ignored.
With the trial not set to begin until January 2027, the legal process is expected to be lengthy and closely watched. The judge’s decision to grant bail, with strict conditions, reflects both the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure the integrity of the judicial process. For the seven women who have come forward, the wait for their day in court will be long, but the public scrutiny now surrounding the case means that their allegations will be heard in full before a jury.
As the story continues to unfold, Westwood’s once-celebrated career stands in stark contrast to the gravity of the accusations against him. The music industry, former colleagues, and fans alike are left grappling with the fallout, while the legal system prepares to determine the outcome of one of the most high-profile sexual offence cases in recent British memory.
For now, Tim Westwood remains on bail, maintaining his innocence, as both his accusers and supporters await the next chapter in a case that has already left an indelible mark on the UK’s cultural landscape.
