Rapper Slowthai Acquitted of Rape Charges, Reacts Emotionally

Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, became visibly emotional in court after being cleared of charges alleging he raped a fan at an after-show gathering. The 29-year-old had faced accusations of sexually assaulting the woman following his performance at The Bullingdon, in Oxford, in September 2021. Both Mr. Frampton and his co-accused, Alex Blake-Walker, were found not guilty on three joint counts of rape after a trial at Oxford Crown Court. Mr. Blake-Walker was additionally acquitted of one count of sexual assault. As the not guilty verdicts were announced, Mr. Frampton broke down in tears in the dock, with crying also audible from the public gallery. The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, reached its majority decisions after more than 10 hours of deliberation. The trial heard that a group of women, whom Mr. Frampton had met before his show on the Cowley Road in Oxford, had invited the rapper and his friends to a party at one of their residences. The prosecution had alleged that Mr. Blake-Walker had raped one woman while being encouraged by Mr. Frampton, who, it was further alleged, then twice raped a second complainant. Mr. Frampton acknowledged that sexual activity had occurred between him and the second complainant, but maintained that it was consensual. Testifying during the trial, he stated: “I know she was consenting, there wasn’t a question.” Mr. Frampton, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton, received support throughout the trial at Oxford Crown Court from his wife, the popstar Anne-Marie. Patrick Gibbs KC, defending Mr. Frampton, had earlier informed the court that his client would be “cancelled for the rest of time,” regardless of the trial’s outcome. In his closing remarks, Mr. Gibbs commented that Slowthai “wasn’t everybody’s stereotype of a rapper,” adding that he was a “thoughtful” and “modest” man who “throws himself, sometimes recklessly, into life.” “Even if he [Mr Frampton] is acquitted, it [the allegations] will not leave him,” he further stated. Judge Ian Pringle KC told the court that the case had “raised a lot of high feelings.” Mr. Blake-Walker, of Wallbutton Road, south London, placed his arm around his friend as Judge Pringle informed the pair they were free to leave the dock. The men’s friends and family cheered loudly outside the courtroom following the verdicts. The trial heard that Mr. Frampton acquired his nickname during his youth in Northampton, where he was known for speaking slowly and often stuttering. He has released three albums and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2021. He also received a nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2019. The rapper was removed from the line-up of Glastonbury Festival, as well as Reading and Leeds, after he was charged in 2023. Mr. Frampton’s co-defendant, Alex Blake-Walker, 27, was also cleared on all counts. Sheryl Nwosu, defending Mr. Blake-Walker, stated in her closing remarks that the evidence presented by the crown did not “fit with Mr Blake-Walker and his behaviour on the night.” She asserted that her “trustworthy” client believed the complainant had been “fully consenting” to the sexual acts. Mr. Blake-Walker had a budding career as an actor and musician but had been almost completely out of work since the incident, Ms. Nwosu added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.