Rapper Slowthai raped two girls at a home celebration after a gig, together with a pal, a court docket has been instructed.
The Grammy-nominated star, whose actual identify is Tyron Frampton, 29, and his co-accused Alex Blake-Walker, 27, are accused of raping the 2 girls at a flat in Oxford on 8 September, 2021.
Each males deny the costs, and say all sexual exercise was with the participation and consent of the ladies.
Frampton, 29, arrived at Oxford Crown Court docket for the second day of his trial accompanied by his spouse, singer Anne-Marie.
WARNING: Allegations that some readers might discover upsetting
The alleged assault is alleged to have taken place following Frampton’s efficiency at The Bullingdon music venue within the metropolis, the evening earlier than.
Oxford Crown Court docket heard that one of many complainants – described as a “huge fan” of the rapper – had seen Frampton in a restaurant earlier than the present and after talking with him had been added to the VIP listing.
Heather Stangoe, prosecuting, instructed the jury that after the gig this complainant met a bunch of pals – together with the second complainant – at Frampton’s tour bus.
Ms Stangoe instructed the jury the “sole purpose” of Frampton and Blake-Walker going to the home celebration “was to secure sexual gratification”.
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Frampton arrives at Oxford Crown Court docket together with his spouse, singer Anne-Marie. Pic: PA
‘Excessive-fiving’ and ‘tag groups’
She mentioned: “It mattered not to them whether the subjects of their attention consented or not. As it happened the two women in this case did not but that did not matter to these two defendants.”
She alleged the ladies have been raped concurrently at one level, with the defendants mentioned to have “high-fived, discussed ‘tag teams’ and contemplated swapping the girls”.
She went on: “Their behaviour whilst sexually assaulting two females – who they had isolated from their friends – the encouragement and the assistance they gave one another when they became concerned that the females would run away has resulted in them being jointly charged with oral and vaginal rape.”
Ms Stangoe says Frampton met the second complainant, who had not been on the efficiency, on the Bullingdon Bar, and shared a shot of tequila together with her.
She mentioned she “had been drinking for many hours” and had additionally taken ketamine and cocaine and continued to drink and take medication till simply earlier than the incident.
The prosecution mentioned that though she was intoxicated, rendering her susceptible, her state didn’t imply that she was incapable of consenting.
‘No telephones, and no boys’
She says the ladies declined an invite to stay on the tour bus and journey to the following tour date in Southampton, and as an alternative went to their pal’s home.
Ms Stangoe says Frampton stipulated that there could be “no phones, and no boys,” earlier than agreeing to attend the celebration, a restriction she says recommended Frampton and Blake-Walker’s “mindset from the outset”.
The prosecutor mentioned Frampton, Blake-Walker and two different males went with the group of ladies to the property. She mentioned the assault came about on a flat roof by way of a window of the property, and “happened very quickly”.
When the assault was interrupted, after initially being impeded by Blake-Walker holding the window shut, she mentioned: “Frampton immediately jumped from the roof into the garden, ran through and out of the house. Blake-Walker left the property. The other two men also left.”
Ms Stangoe says the incident was reported to the police that evening, after which the defendants have been arrested and interviewed, denying the costs.
‘The impact of superstar’
The prosecution alleges Frampton had twice raped one of many complainants whereas being inspired by Blake-Walker.
Blake-Walker is accused of raping the opposite complainant whereas being inspired by Frampton.
It’s mentioned they each sexually assaulted the girl Frampton is alleged to have raped.
In opening remarks to the jury, Patrick Gibbs KC, representing Frampton, recommended the occasions that evening between his shopper and one of many complainants have been consensual.
He mentioned there was a distinction between on the one hand “willingly participating in something which is spontaneous and chaotic and in the excitement of the intoxication of the moment and on the other regretting it afterwards”.
He additionally mentioned “the effect of celebrity” might have led individuals to “enthusiastically do things they wouldn’t otherwise do”.
Sheryl Nwosu, representing Blake-Walker, mentioned her shopper had all the time denied forcing one of many girls to have interaction in sexual exercise, and denied any sexual contact with the girl Frampton is accused of raping.
Frampton, who was nominated for a Grammy in 2021 and a Mercury prize in 2019, was faraway from the Glastonbury, Leeds and Studying pageant line-up after being charged final 12 months.
The trial – which is predicted to final three weeks – continues.
