Five women who have accused comedian Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting them will be allowed to testify at his upcoming retrial on charges of sexually assaulting a former friend, a Pennsylvania judge has ruled

The decision on Thursday by Judge Steven O'Neill is likely to have a major influence on the second trial of Cosby, 80, who is accused of attacking Andrea Constand, now 44, at his home near Philadelphia between December 30, 2003, and January 20, 2004.

His lawyers have been fighting to prevent the other women from testifying at the retrial.