British rapper Slowthai cleared of raping two women during a house party
Musician Slowthai, real name Tyron Frampton, has been cleared at Oxford Crown Court of raping two women during a house party.
The rapper, 29 – famous for songs including Feel Away, NHS, and Selfish – and his friend Alex Blake-Walker, 27, were accused of raping two female fans on a rooftop after one of his performances in September 2021.
Both denied the claims – three counts of rape made by two women – and his co-accused Blake-Walker has also been cleared.
The musician burst into tears in the dock as jurors gave the verdict, while judge Ian Pringle KC told the court this case has ‘raised a lot of high feelings’.
Relatives and friends of the accused, including Frampton’s wife Anne-Marie, sighed in relief as the verdicts were read out.
The jury returned the verdicts following a two-week trial during which it was alleged the two defendants assaulted two women in the early hours of September 8, 2021.
Frampton had performed at The Bullingdon music venue in Oxford on the evening of September 7 2021 when they met the two complainants, one of whom was described during the trial as a ‘huge fan’ of Slowthai.
Following the gig, the two complainants went to Frampton’s tour bus before heading to their friend’s house for a party – with Frampton and Blake-Walker joining the group.
Frampton, Blake-Walker, and the two complainants then went on to the roof of the property, where the women claimed they were raped.
Frampton, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton, and Blake-Walker, of Wallbutton Road, south-east London, both agreed that sexual activity took place with the complainants on the night of the alleged assaults, but told the court that it was consensual.
In his evidence to the jury, the rapper said the allegations brought up against him were ‘just not true’ and that the women were ‘lying’.
Frampton accepted that he and Blake-Walker had ‘fist-bumped’ at the time but denied this was encouraging each other.
The pair both walked free from the dock after Judge Ian Pringle KC told them they were able to go.
After appearing in Oxfordshire Magistrate’s Court last year Frampton made a statement on X, in which he said: ‘Regarding the allegations being reported about me I categorically deny the charges.
‘I am innocent and confident my name will be cleared. Until then, I will apply my energy to ensure this is concluded swiftly and justly.
‘I ask that my supporters don’t comment about this situation and respect the process and privacy of my family during this time.’
The Voice judge Anne-Marie and Slowthai secretly welcomed their first child together in March this year.
British rapper Slowthai cleared of raping two women during a house party