R Kelly: Newly uncovered video shows singer 'sexually assaulting underage girl', according to Michael Avenatti

Lawyer says the VHS tape is 'approximately 45 minutes in length'

A newly uncovered video shows R Kelly sexually assaulting an underage girl, lawyer Michael Avenatti has claimed.

The attorney released a statement on social media on Thursday, saying the VHS tape was “recently uncovered and recovered” after “multiple clients” retained his office’s services in connection with allegations of sexual assault made against Kelly.

“The tape, which is clear, is approximately 45 minutes in length and has never previously been publicly disclosed or, until recently, provided to law enforcement,” Avenatti stated.

In the videotape, Avenatti alleges that Kelly can be seen “engaging in multiple sexual assaults of a girl underage”.

The attorney noted that the video is not related to a previous case in which Kelly was charged, adding that “the time frame of the sexual assaults depicted in the video is within the Illinois statute of limitations”.

Avenatti said he and his team delivered the tape, along with other information, to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx in Chicago, Illinois.

According to CNN, the tape features a “naked man” and a girl, who refers to her body part as being 14 years old.

Kelly has faced accusations of sexual abuse for two decades. He has never been convicted.

Allegations gained more traction in January this year with the release of the six-part Lifetime documentary Surviving R Kelly.

Last month, Kelly’s lawyer denied all claims against the singer, telling AP: “The allegations aren’t true because he never knowingly had sex with an underage woman, he never forced anyone to do anything, he never held anyone captive, he never abused anyone.”

The Independent has contacted Greenberg for more information.