Judge rules he has a case to answer

Bill Cosby is to stand trial over an alleged a sexual assault from 2004.

A judge has decided there is enough evidence for him to face criminal charges of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand  in his home.

If convicted, the comedian faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The case was opened last year after more than 40 women came forward with similar accusations – although this is the only one to fall within the statute of limitations for charges. The rest were too long ago.

Cosby, now 78, has insisted all of his encounters were consensual.

Judge Elizabeth A. McHugh  as also ruled that Constand, who now lives in Toronto, will not have to testify. The prosecution will therefore be based on a statement she made to police 11 years ago, a year after the alleged incident.

Cosby previously settled a lawsuit with Constand in 2006, in which he did not admit any guilt. She was paid an undisclosed sum, but signed a confidentiality agreement.

She considered the comedian a friend, having met through her work for the women's basketball program at Temple University, Cosby's alma mater.

At his home, he allegedly gave her three blue pills and told her to drink wine, after which she felt dizzy and faint. She says that when she lay on the sofa she felt Cosby fondling her breasts and sexually assaulting her. 

Cosby was at the Montgomery County courthouse in Pennsylvania today to hear the decision – below is footage of him arriving – but Constand was not.

Cheers as .@BillCosby arrives for evidentiary hearing re: criminal case. Accuser Andrea Constand could show too pic.twitter.com/jLKNeTDjlV

— Justin Finch (@JustinFinchCBS3) May 24, 2016

Published: 24 May 2016