Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli to stand trial charged with rapes

Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli is to stand trial next year, accused of rape and other sex offences.

The comedian faces 20 charges involving five women between 2006 and 2022 at locations including the BBC Studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and the Radisson Hotel in the city.

The 57-year-old faces five charges of rape involving the same woman in 2020 and 2021 in the Glasgow area.

He also faces several charges of sexual assault and indecent assault and other charges, including breach of the peace, indecent communication and assault.

The comedian, who was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, has pleaded not guilty.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that special defences of consent have been lodged for some of the charges.

Lord Rennucci set a trial date of October 1st next year during the hearing at the court on Friday.

The charges include an allegation that Kohli indecently assaulted a woman at BBC Studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow on an occasion between 2006 and 2008 when he allegedly seized and squeezed her buttock and placed his arms around her body.

It is also alleged that he indecently assaulted the same woman at the Radisson Hotel and repeatedly rubbed her back and touched her hair on an occasion during that time period.

Another charge alleges that he sexually assaulted another woman at Yes Bar in Glasgow in December 2016 when he allegedly seized her, placed his arms around her body and kissed her on the mouth.

He is also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly pursuing the same woman and making sexual remarks towards her at the Yes Bar on the same day.

Offences are alleged to have taken place at locations including Edinburgh, Glasgow, a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway and elsewhere.

Lord Rennucci said he would allow the special defence of consent lodged for a number of the charges.

He fixed a further hearing for September 10th this year and a trial for October 1st next year, which is expected to last eight days at the High Court in Glasgow.

Kohli has previously appeared on TV shows including The One Show, Celebrity MasterChef and Newsnight Review, and has hosted shows on BBC Radio 4.