Singer charged with sex abuse

CONTROVERSIAL singer R Kelly has been charged with ten counts of aggravated sexual abuse, some against girls as young as 13.

There are four alleged victims, some of whom were aged 13 to 16 at the time, court papers show. The alleged offences occurred between 1998 and 2010.

American lawyer Michael Avenatti said last week that he had given Chicago prosecutors video evidence of Kelly having sex with an underage girl.

The 52-year-old R ’n’ B star is expected to appear at a bond hearing in the city today, where he lives, and a further hearing will take place on March 8.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of three to seven years in prison.

In 2008 jurors acquitted him of child pornography charges in which he was accused of making a 27-minute sex videotape with an under-age female.

He has always denied numerous other allegations against him — several from ex-girlfriends. Kelly, whose name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is best known for his hit I Believe I Can Fly.