Bill Cosby admitted buying sedatives to give to women, court documents show

US comedian Bill Cosby admitted buying sedatives with the intention of giving them to women he wanted to have sex with, according to newly-unsealed court documents.

The former TV star made the admission in a 2005 civil case brought by a former Temple University employee, Andrea Constand, who alleged that Cosby had tricked her into taking drugs and then sexually assaulted her.

The case was settled for an undisclosed sum, but the documents have now been unsealed after court action by the Associated Press news agency.According to the documents, Cosby was asked by a lawyer about a prescription for the pills, known as Quaaludes.

The documents stated that, when asked if he had intended to use these "for young women that you wanted to have sex with", Cosby had responded: "Yes."

He also admitted to giving the sedatives to at least one woman, according to the files.

A representative for Cosby did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Laywers for the actor had fought the release of the documents, arguing that it would be "terribly embarrassing" for him.

Dozens of women have come forward in the past year claiming that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted them in alleged incidents dating back decades.

Cosby has never been charged over the allegations but has seen a number of TV projects and shows cancelled in recent months.