Bill Cosby
The district attorney has said that Bill Cosby will be arraigned later on 30 December Reuters

Prosecutors in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, have charged comedian Bill Cosby over an alleged sexual assault in 2004. Cosby is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his mansion.

The case was reopened after a number of women came forward in recent years to accuse the 78-year-old comedian of historic sex crimes. This is the first time he has been charged over any of the alleged incidents.

The district attorney has said that Cosby will be arraigned later on Wednesday afternoon (30 December). Cosby has previously stated under oath that his sexual contact with Constand was consensual.

"Upon examination of all of the evidence, today we are able to seek justice on behalf of Mr. Cosby's victim," said first assistant DA Kevin Steele. "Reopening this case was not a question, rather it was our duty."

Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent assault. In 2005, a district attorney decided not to charge Cosby for the same assault.

Dolores Troiani, an attorney for Constand, told People magazine: "We'll have to see what happens. We hope justice will be done. We will co-operate fully."

Cosby's lawyers have yet to comment on the ruling.