R Kelly freed from jail after mystery donor pays his $161,000 child support bill

Anonymous benefactor helps singer ‘scrape the money together’ to end spell behind bars

Singer R Kelly has been released from jail after paying more than $161,000 (£123,680) in child support to his ex-wife, ending a second recent spell behind bars after an earlier arrest on sex assault charges.

An anonymous benefactor reportedly helped him “scrape the money together”.

The performer, 52, was arrested on Wednesday over unpaid support for three children he has with Andrea Lee.

Sam Randall, from the Cook County sheriff’s office in Chicago, said the source of the payment was unclear, noting that the name section of the bond slip was left blank.

“Anonymity in this situation is pretty rare,” Mr Randall said. “Typically that section of the form is filled out.”

Celebrity website TMZ cited sources close to Kelly as saying an unidentified benefactor helped him.

It also reported that the singer was met by screaming fans as he left the jail.

“I promise we’re gonna straighten all this out,” Kelly reportedly said. “That’s all I can say right now. I love my fans.”

Last month, Kelly was arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges he had sexually assaulted three teenage girls and a fourth woman. He was granted bail.

Kelly has denied similar abuse allegations for decades. In 2008, the singer was cleared of child pornography charges.

Since last month he has complained of financial difficulties, claiming many people had access to his bank account and had stolen from him.

He tearfully and angrily rejected allegations that he had sex with underage girls.