Dec 30 (Reuters) An arrest warrant has been issued for the comedian for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his Philadelphia-area mansion in January 2004.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said at a press conference that new information came to light this year in the case.

More than 50 women have come forward with claims that Cosby had drugged, and in numerous cases, sexually assaulted them in incidents dating back decades.

Cosby, 78, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and had never been criminally charged. Many of the alleged incidents occurred decades ago and the statute of limitations for prosecuting them expired long ago. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Jeffrey Benkoe)

Photo:  Bill Cosby performs at The Temple Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado January 17, 2015. REUTERS/Barry Gutierrez