A high-profile sexual assault trial of British rapper Yung Filly, real name Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, has entered its second week in Western Australia, with the 30-year-old influencer and performer set to take the witness stand after prosecutors wrapped up their case last week. The 30-year-old artist, who counts millions of followers across his social media platforms, has repeatedly pleaded not guilty to 10 criminal charges, including counts of sexual assault, common assault and choking. The allegations stem from an alleged incident involving a 20-year-old female fan during Yung Filly’s tour of Australia nearly two years ago.
Opening arguments and witness testimony from the complainant during the first week of the trial at Perth District Court have painted a detailed picture of the encounter the woman says led to the violent, non-consensual assault. According to court records, the Perth local had traveled to Bar1 Nightclub, located in Perth’s northern suburbs, wearing what she called her lucky outfit, hoping to meet the rapper, whom she identified as her celebrity crush. Videos the woman recorded inside the venue, which were played for the court during testimony, captured her saying, “I am going to get married and have his baby,” “I got touched by Yung Filly in a good way,” and “I love Filly” before their interaction turned to what she says was abuse.
The complainant told the court she encountered Yung Filly in the club’s VIP section, where he allegedly put his hands down her pants and told her, “You’re coming home with me tonight.” After she pushed his hand away and told him she was not interested in that kind of interaction, the rapper is accused of touching her breast. When she told him “You can’t do that,” he responded, “Really shows your age,” according to the woman’s testimony.
Later that night, the woman told the court she agreed to join the rapper and his entourage in a van, believing they were heading to a scheduled after-party. It was only when the group arrived at Perth’s luxury InterContinental Hotel that she realized no event was planned, she said. Inside Yung Filly’s hotel room, the woman told the court the pair began consensual sexual activity, but the encounter quickly escalated into non-consensual violence. She alleged the rapper bit her, slapped her, and ultimately raped her. The bite injury was severe enough that the woman required a tetanus shot after the alleged incident, the court has heard, and she has testified that she feared Yung Filly would harm her again before she was able to escape the room.
Yung Filly has denied all allegations against him, and his legal team has not yet presented their full defense, as the trial is still ongoing. Now that prosecution has closed its case, all eyes are on the upcoming week of proceedings, when the rapper is expected to give his own testimony under oath. The trial is scheduled to continue through the coming days as the court hears the full scope of evidence from both sides.