Bill Cosby charged over sexual assault allegation

US actor Bill Crosby will face an aggravated indecent assault charge, his first criminal charge for his alleged conduct against women, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.

Pennsylvania prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for an alleged sexual assault that happened more than a decade ago.

Cosby, 78, has been charged with aggravated indecent assault over an alleged incident in 2004 involving a former local university employee.

He has previously said under oath he had a consensual sexual encounter with the woman.

The case was re-opened after dozens of women alleged assault by Cosby, dating back to the 1970s.

Andrea Constand, who was an employee at Temple University at the time of the alleged assault, sued Mr Cosby in 2005 and settled for an undisclosed sum after no charges were brought.

She has said she was tricked into taking drugs before being sexually assaulted by Cosby.

The actor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.