Winehouse's Ex-Boyfriend Faces Rape Charges
Film director Reg Traviss, who was the singer's lover at the time of her death last year, is charged with two counts of rape.
Thursday 28 June 2012 19:09, UK
The man who was dating singer Amy Winehouse when she died last year has been charged with rape.
Film director Reg Traviss faces two counts of rape and will appear before magistrates next month.
The 35-year-old was Winehouse's boyfriend when she died at her home in Camden, north London, last July.
Traviss was arrested on April 5 by the Metropolitan Police in relation to an allegation of rape reported on January 18.
Rebecca Mundy, a lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "I have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Reginald Traviss with two counts of rape.
"The alleged offences took place between 29 December 2011 and 1 January 2012."
The lawyer from the CPS London Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit added: "The decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors."
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 17.
After Winehouse's death her father Mitch said Traviss had made his daughter very happy.
In his eulogy at her funeral Mr Winehouse said: "Recently Amy found love with Reg.
"He helped her with her problems and Amy was looking forward to their future together. She was the happiest she has been for years."
Later Traviss told Sky News that he had been throwing himself into his work to help cope with his grief.
He said: "I took six weeks off and dropped everything (when Amy died). I'm just kind of getting back into work now."
His prison drama Screwed, released in June last year, was based on an autobiographical book by former prison officer Ronnie Thompson.
Stars included James D'Arcy, who appeared in W.E. and Master And Commander, and Noel Clarke from Kidulthood and Adulthood.
His previous directing credits include wartime drama Joy Division from 2006 and Psychosis, his 2010 crime drama.