Indian designer in US out on bail

By Peter Bowes
BBC News, Los Angeles

Anand Jon has dressed celebrities like Paris Hilton and Mary J Blige

A celebrity fashion designer in the US has been released on bail after pleading not guilty to multiple charges of sexually assaulting women and girls.

Indian-born Anand Jon Alexander, who is well-known in Hollywood, was released after a court hearing in Beverly Hills.

He was arrested last month after a women alleged he had raped her.

Anand Jon specialises in clothes that meld eastern and western designs and has been running his own fashion line in the US since the late 1990s.

He has dressed celebrities like Paris Hilton and Mary J Blige.

After his arrest, five more women, ranging in ages from 14 to 23, came forward claiming they too were sexually assaulted.

In all he faces 33 charges.

They include rape and committing a lewd act on a child.

Anand Jon denies the allegations.

In court he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

His lawyer said some of the women had come forward because they were disgruntled models who had failed in the fashion industry.

He said they were looking for an opportunity to capitalise on the fashion designer's troubles.