Prosecutors in the US have charged comedian Bill Cosby with
aggravated indecent assault over an alleged incident in 2004.
aggravated indecent assault over an alleged incident in 2004.
It is the first time Mr Cosby, 78, has been charged with any
offence after months of accusations.
offence after months of accusations.
Andrea Constand says she was drugged then assaulted at the
Philadelphia home of the former US television star.
Philadelphia home of the former US television star.
Dozens of women have accused him of sexual assault, dating
back to the 1970s, but he has denied wrongdoing.
back to the 1970s, but he has denied wrongdoing.
Earlier this month he opened a lawsuit against seven of the
women, accusing them of defamation.
women, accusing them of defamation.
He arrived at court to be formally charged but said nothing
as he walked into the building.
as he walked into the building.
Comedian Bill Cosby was charged on Wednesday with sexually
assaulting a woman in 2004 after plying her with drugs and alcohol, marking the
first criminal case against a once-beloved performer whose father-figure
persona was already left tattered by dozens of misconduct allegations.
assaulting a woman in 2004 after plying her with drugs and alcohol, marking the
first criminal case against a once-beloved performer whose father-figure
persona was already left tattered by dozens of misconduct allegations.
It is the second time there has been an investigation into
Ms Constand’s complaint against the actor, who won acclaim for playing a family
doctor and model father in The Cosby Show.
Ms Constand’s complaint against the actor, who won acclaim for playing a family
doctor and model father in The Cosby Show.
In 2005, after no charges were brought when she first made
the accusation, she sued him and settled for an undisclosed sum.
the accusation, she sued him and settled for an undisclosed sum.
He has previously said under oath he had a consensual sexual
encounter with her.
encounter with her.
Mr Cosby befriended Ms Constand through her job at Temple
University and she came to think of him as “a mentor and a friend”
before he allegedly made two sexual advances that were rejected, said
prosecutors.
University and she came to think of him as “a mentor and a friend”
before he allegedly made two sexual advances that were rejected, said
prosecutors.
Documents from her lawsuit against the star were sealed
until this summer, when damaging testimony was revealed as more women came
forward.
until this summer, when damaging testimony was revealed as more women came
forward.
The 12-year statute of limitations was only days away from
expiring, in January 2016.
expiring, in January 2016.
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