James Brown rape claims thrown out

A judge has thrown out a civil rape claim against soul legend James Brown, according to his accuser's lawyer.
The singer's former public relations assistant Jacque Hollander, 48, claimed he raped her in 1988.

But US magistrate Sidney Schenkier ruled that the two-year time limit for such claims had expired.

Ms Hollander's lawyer Don Rosen said the decision was "an injustice" and that she would appeal. Brown's manager had said the allegation was "absurd". Ms Hollander sought $100m (£56m) damages, saying Brown assaulted her at gunpoint in his van.

Mr Rosen said: "The idea that somebody could get away with the brutality Mr Brown has - even after 17 years - and not see a day in court based on the idea that he has successfully managed to instil fear in my client is an injustice for any victim."

When she made her claim in January, her spokesman said she had recently been diagnosed with a neurological disorder brought on by the "rape and torture" and had "only recently gathered the strength to do this".

The singer has had a number of brushes with the law, including claims over domestic violence, drug charges and weapons possession.

In 2002, Brown was cleared in a case of sexual harassment lodged by a former employee, who went on to be awarded damages for wrongful dismissal.

Brown, who has recorded more than 50 albums, was treated for prostate cancer in December. Surgery was described as successful and he is expected to make a full recovery.document.write(unescape("