US magician David Blaine accused of sex assault

THE New York Police Department is investigating sexual assault allegations against US magician David Blaine.

Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said Blaine was under investigation but declined to discuss any details or confirm if police had interviewed him.

Mr Shea was responding to a report by the Daily Beast website that the NYPD had taken statements from two women accusing Blaine of sexual assault.

Citing unnamed sources, the report said one of the alleged victims claims she was attacked by Blaine in his Manhattan apartment in 1998.

The Daily Beast had previously reported that a former model alleged Blaine raped her in London in 2004, an allegation he denied. Scotland Yard detectives later declined to take action after investigating her claim.

Blaine, 45, is known for stunts like being buried underground for seven days without food or water in New York in 1999. He also stayed in a plexiglass case suspended 30ft above London for more than 40 days in 2003.