American RnB singer and alleged sexual predator R. Kelly has been charged with 11 more sexual offences.
Seems like R.Kelly’s woes are not ending anytime soon as Court records reportedly show they relate to sexual assault and abuse of a minor aged between 13 and 16, and if proven carry far heavier sentences than the others he faces.
According to BBC, the pied piper is reportedly due back in court in a week to face the charges. If convicted on the earlier charges, which involve four alleged victims, three of whom were minors, he could face three to seven years in prison.
Earlier this year the R&B artist was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He pleaded not guilty and as reported by The Sauce, he was released on bail.
R. Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg said the latest charges did not relate to a new case. “He was recharged in an existing case, same alleged victim and time (a decade ago) It changes nothing,” he wrote on Twitter.
“These are the same conduct, just charged differently, the same alleged victim, same time frame, same facts. We expect the same results.”
Chicago Tribune reporter Megan Crepeau reported that the four of the new charges laid against him are the most serious felony class in the state of Illinois, and carry a mandatory six to 30-year sentence. Four charges are for aggravated criminal sexual assault, two for sexual assault and five for aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
As reported by The Sauce, in January 2019 an explosive documentary series, ‘Surviving R. Kelly’, showed a number of alleged victims talking about their experiences. The ‘Step In The Name Of Love’ hitmaker has repeatedly denied the claims.
He lost a civil court case, brought by a woman who accused him of sexual abuse after he failed to appear at the Chicago court in April.
Dozens of women have come forward over the years accusing the singer of abusing them and there has been a call for major radio/TV stations to stop playing his music through the hashtag #MuteRKelly.