Judy Huth filed suit against the 77 year old in December (14), accusing the actor of getting her drunk and then raping her during a party at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1974, when she was just 15.

She also filed a police complaint, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney rejected her case for criminal charges as the 40-year-old allegations fall outside the statute of limitations, which, at the time of the incident, would have required her to file a complaint within a year.

Cosby moved to have the civil lawsuit dismissed, but on Friday (29May15), his motion was denied.

A statement issued by Huth's attorney, Gloria Allred, to Entertainment Weekly reads, "We are very happy about the Court of Appeal decision... which allows Ms. Huth's case to proceed rather than being dismissed.

"It is very important to Ms. Huth that she be able to have her day in court in this case."

The news comes days after former supermodel Janice DICkinson became the latest alleged victim to sue the actor for defamation, after Cosby's attorney, Marty Singer, blasted her claim of sexual assault as "a complete lie".

DICkinson is just one of more than 30 women who have spoken out about decades-old incidents involving alleged unwanted advances from the comedian.

Cosby has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault in the past and settled one lawsuit in 2006. He has never been charged over the allegations.