Singer R Kelly pleads not guilty to sex abuse charges

Disgraced R & B singer R Kelly has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused four people, including three underage girls.

Singer R Kelly has pleaded not guilty to sex abuse charges. Picture: AFP

After spending the weekend behind bars, disgraced R & B star R Kelly has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused four people, including three minors.

The Grammy-winning singer — who was charged under a 10-count indictment on aggravated criminal sexual abuse on Friday in Chicago — entered the pleas through his lawyer at his arraignment hearing before Cook County Associate Judge Lawrence Flood at Leighton Criminal Court, where he appeared in an orange jumpsuit.

Musician R. Kelly leaves his Chicago studio on Friday after he surrendered himself to police. Picture: AP

His next court date has been scheduled for March 22, reports the New York Post.

Kelly, 52, whose legal name is Robert Kelly, remains jailed in a Chicago holding cell in lieu of $US1 million ($1.4 million) bond as he struggles to put up the 10 per cent of the total bond required in order to walk free.

Prosecutors charge that Kelly sexually abused four victims, including three minors between the ages of 13 and 16, in incidents between 1998 and 2010.

Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg has maintained his client’s innocence, saying he believes “all the women are lying.”

“[Kelly] did not force anyone to have sex. He’s a rock star. He doesn’t have to have non-consensual sex,” Mr Greenberg told reporters over the weekend.

The star’s lawyer, Steve Greenberg, told reporters his client is “a rock star. He doesn’t have to have non-consensual sex”. Picture: AP

The charges against Kelly come weeks after the six-part documentary series Surviving R Kelly showcased old sexual misconduct accusations against the performer.

Meanwhile, lawyer Michael Avenatti, who says he represents two alleged Kelly victims, said Monday that he has obtained a second video that shows the star sexually assaulting a minor and is turning the footage over to Cook County prosecutors.

“I can confirm that we will be providing a second video showing R Kelly engaged in sexual assault of a minor to prosecutors this morning,” Mr Avenatti tweeted ahead of the court appearance.

Jocelyn Savage (L) and Azriel Clary whose parents say are being held against their will by the singer, arrived in court to support him. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

“This tape was recently uncovered in connection with our ongoing nationwide investigation on behalf of victims. Justice must be done,” the tweet reads.

According to TMZ, the tape, a 55-minute VHS video, allegedly shows Kelly having sex with the same 14-year-old girl depicted in the first video that Avenatti handed over to police.

The first video was shot in 1999, while the second one was in 2000, the gossip website reported.

R. Kelly is escorted by police in custody last Friday. Picture: AP

This story was originally published on the New York Post and is reprinted with permission.