Topless protester charges at Bill Cosby ahead of sexual assault retrial

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Martin Coulter9 April 2018

A topless protester has been arrested after charging at the disgraced US comedian Bill Cosby before his latest court appearance.

Allegations over Cosby's conduct towards women have come under increasingly intense scrutiny over the past two years.

The case against the former national treasure was reopened after dozens of women came forward with historic sexual assault allegations against him, which date back decades.

He was heading to a suburban Philadelphia courthouse on Monday morning when the woman ran at him. Onlookers say he appeared startled by the commotion as protesters began chanting his name.

The 80-year-old former TV star stands accused of drugging and molesting a woman at his home in 2004.

He was led into the courthouse while the woman was led away in handcuffs by the police. She was among about a half dozen people chanting in support of Cosby's accuser.

She had "Women's Lives Matter" written in red ink on her chest and stomach along with other phrases in black and red all over her body.

He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of violating the woman while she was impaired, unconscious or could not give consent.

His accuser Andrea Constand, a former university worker, made a statement to police in 2005 which was read out in court.

She said he gave her three blue pills that made her dizzy and blurry-eyed.

The trial continues. Cosby denies the allegations.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press

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