Court Hears Alleged Rape Victim of Slowthai Felt ‘Helpless’

A woman who claims she was raped by Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai testified that she experienced a feeling of “helplessness” throughout the assault and offered no resistance. The 29-year-old individual and his associate, Alex Blake-Walker, face accusations of raping two women at a house party following a performance at The Bullingdon in Oxford in September 2021. Slowthai, identified by his birth name Tyron Frampton, and Mr Blake-Walker, aged 27, have both pleaded not guilty to three joint charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault. Testimony presented at Oxford Crown Court indicated that the men were introduced to a group comprising eight women following Mr Frampton’s musical performance. The court was informed that this group of women and four men subsequently proceeded to a flat party. While several women stayed indoors, Mr Frampton and Mr Blake-Walker ascended to the rooftop accompanied by the two complainants. The prosecution contends that Mr Blake-Walker raped the first woman with encouragement from Mr Frampton, who, in turn, allegedly raped the second complainant on two occasions while being encouraged by Blake-Walker. Furthermore, both men are accused of sexually assaulting the woman whom Mr Frampton is alleged to have raped. During a police interview conducted one week after the alleged rapes, the woman informed officers that she had consumed alcohol and taken ketamine and cocaine on the night in question. The court heard her account of arriving at the residence, stating that as she ascended the stairs, both defendants touched her indecently. Her interview subsequently detailed how Mr Frampton pushed her to the ground and compelled her to perform oral sex on him. The court was presented with her statement to police: “I said stop to him. Slowthai was trying to pull my hair so I would continue.” She further recounted: “They were saying: ‘No it’s safe we’ll look after you, it’s safe with us’. They were saying: ‘It’s so great, can’t believe this is happening’ and fist-bumping each other.” In her description of the second alleged rape, the woman stated that Mr Frampton pushed her against a wall and forced her face into it. She testified: “I hadn’t said no, not saying anything, I just pretended I wasn’t really there.” She added: “At some point I said I wanted to go inside.” Regarding the other complainant, the woman stated she overheard her saying “she was not doing this and him saying she was safe”. The woman later added: “They said the phrase tag team. I think Blake-Walker was suggesting it.” When questioned by a police officer about why she did not instruct Mr Frampton to cease, the woman responded: “I felt helpless, like my body was not my own.” Mr Frampton, residing at Wellingborough Road, Northampton, and Mr Blake-Walker, residing at Wallbutton Road, south-east London, both deny three joint charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault involving two women. The judicial proceedings are ongoing. BBC Oxfordshire is available for follow on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Details on our approach to external linking can be reviewed.