DJ Tim Westwood accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old

Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood is facing multiple new allegations of sexual misconduct. One of his most recent accusers claims that Westwood sexually assaulted her several times, starting when she was 14 and he was in his 30s - well under the age of consent. 10 more women have since come out with similar stories.

The woman, who describes Westwood as a "predator", is one of several to come forward with allegations of misconduct and sexual abuse from 1990 to 2020.

In April, multiple women accused the former Radio 1 DJ of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching between 1992 and 2017. They also accused him of abusing his position in the music industry.

The accusations came to light in a joint investigation from The Guardian and BBC News, published last April. Westwood stepped down from his Capital Xtra radio show that month, but strenuously denied all allegations.

All of the women who spoke to the BBC are black, and said that they met Westwood through his work. They told their stories in a BBC Three documentary, Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power.

Westwood's latest accuser, who is now in her forties, said that the experience led to her attempting to take her own life.

Another woman has come forward to detail what she calls a “controlling” relationship with Westwood when she was 16 and he was in his 40s. In addition, two other women have said they were sexually assaulted by Westwood when they were in their mid-teens.

These testimonies and others are included in a new BBC News documentary, Hip Hop’s Open Secret: Tim Westwood.

Westwood, now 64, dominated the UK's black music scene for 40 years. He presented the BBC Radio 1's Rap Show for 19 years, before moving on to Capital Xtra in 2013. The self-styled 'Big Dawg' became a household name after his stint presenting MTV's Pimp My Ride.

Westwood did not respond to a request for comment from the BBC today.