R Kelly arrested after handing himself in to police following sex abuse charges

  • R Kelly

  • Video report by ITV News Reporter James Webster

R&B star R Kelly has been arrested after handing himself in at a Chicago police station over sexual abuse charges involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17.

The singer attended the station hours after authorities announced multiple charges of aggravated sexual abuse.

Kelly, through his lawyers, he has consistently denied them.

The 52-year-old singer, whose real name is Robert Kelly, was driven to the station in a dark-coloured van with heavily-tinted rear windows.

R Kelly's police mugshot was taken after he handed himself into a Chicago police station. Credit: AP

The vehicle pulled up outside the precinct about 8.15pm and a security detail for Kelly kept reporters and cameramen at arms’ length as he exited the side door.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted a short time later that was under arrest.

Kelly did not respond to questions from reporters as he walked inside the building.

He was expected to be held overnight before a court appearance on Saturday.

R Kelly was pictured in handcuffs after handing himself into police. Credit: AP

Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg, told reporters following the singer's arrest that one of the charges he faces appears to be tied to a decade-old child pornography case.

"Double jeopardy should bar that case," Greenberg said. "He won that case."

Kelly, who was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, has consistently denied any sexual misconduct.

Kelly was arrested in 2002, charged with 21 counts of child pornography and was subsequently acquitted. Credit: AP

Greenberg said he thinks prosecutors rushed to judgment Friday in charging Kelly, calling the singer "an innocent man."

Kelly, best known for R&B songs such as "I Believe I Can Fly," was charged a week after Michael Avenatti, the attorney whose clients have included porn star Stormy Daniels, said he gave prosecutors new video evidence of the singer with an underage girl.

At a news conference earlier Friday in Chicago, Avenatti said a 14-year-old girl seen with R. Kelly on the video is among four victims mentioned in the indictment. He said the footage shows two separate scenes on two separate days at Kelly's residence in the late 1990s.

During the video, both the victim and Kelly refer to her age 10 times, he said.

Michael Avenatti's clients include porn star Stormy Daniels, who has made accusations against Donald Trump. Credit: AP

Avenatti said he represents six clients, including two victims, two parents and two people he describes as "knowing R. Kelly and being within his inner circle for the better part of 25 years."

Greenberg said he doesn't know what video Avenatti gave to prosecutors. "We haven't seen it. No one's showed us the tape."