British Prosecutors Drop Indecent Assault Charges Against Harvey Weinstein

British prosecutors have discontinued indecent assault charges against former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewed evidence and found no realistic prospect of conviction. The alleged assault occurred in 1996 in London. Weinstein has denied non-consensual sexual encounters and has faced mixed legal results in other jurisdictions.

British prosecutors announced Thursday that they have discontinued indecent assault charges against former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

'Following a review of the evidence in this case, the CPS has decided to discontinue criminal proceedings against Harvey Weinstein,' stated Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division. 'The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuous review and we have decided that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.'

The charges were initially authorized by the CPS two years ago, based on an alleged assault that took place in August 1996 in London. The victim, now in her 50s, had reported the incident to police. Weinstein, 72, has consistently denied any non-consensual sexual activities.

Weinstein was previously convicted on rape charges in Manhattan in February 2020, but the New York Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in April, ruling that he did not receive a fair trial. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles court convicted him of raping an actress in 2022.

(With inputs from agencies.)