Jury in Slowthai Rape Trial Advised Against Investigative Role

The jury members in the rape case involving Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai have been urged not to act as “Wagatha Christies” during their deliberations. The 29-year-old, whose birth name is Tyron Frampton, stands accused of raping a woman following his performance at The Bullingdon in Oxford in September 2021. Both he and his co-accused, Alex Blake-Walker, deny three joint counts of rape. Mr. Blake-Walker also denies one count of sexual assault. The jury is expected to be sent out to consider its verdicts on Thursday. During the trial’s final day, prosecutor Heather Stangoe reminded the jury that they must “decide this case on the evidence” they have heard. She stated that jurors were “not investigators,” adding that they should not attempt to be “Wagatha Christies” – a reference to the well-known legal dispute between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. “This is not C.S.I, this is not an American drama – this is a case about real people and things that happened in real life,” Ms. Stangoe further commented. Oxford Crown Court had previously been informed that the two men were introduced to a group of eight women after Mr. Frampton’s performance. The court was told that this group of women and four men then proceeded to a house party. While some women remained inside, Mr. Frampton and Mr. Blake-Walker went up to the roof with the two complainants. The prosecution then alleges that Mr. Blake-Walker raped the first woman while being encouraged by Mr. Frampton, who, in turn, twice raped the second complainant while being buoyed on by Mr. Blake-Walker. Patrick Gibbs KC, defending Mr. Frampton, stated that there were a dozen “problems” with the narrative presented by the prosecution. In his closing remarks, he described his client as someone who “wasn’t everybody’s stereotype of a rapper,” adding that he was a “thoughtful” and “modest” man who “throws himself, sometimes recklessly, into life.” “There’s all the difference in the world between being up for a good time, in a boyish and immature way, and forcing yourself upon someone against their will,” Mr. Gibbs told the jury in his closing remarks. He added: “Even if he [Mr Frampton] is acquitted, it [the allegations] will not leave him.” “He’ll be cancelled for the rest of time.” Sheryl Nwosu, representing Mr. Blake-Walker, stated in her closing remarks that the evidence put forward by the Crown “doesn’t fit with Mr Blake-Walker and his behaviour on the night.” She further added that her “trustworthy” client believed the complainant had been “fully consenting” to the sexual acts. Judge Ian Pringle, who is overseeing the case, declared that the case was a “question of consent.” He reminded the jury that there was “no stereotype for a perpetrator or victim of rape,” adding that they “must be sure of guilt” to convict the two men. Judge Pringle also requested jurors to “lay aside any feelings of sympathy or dislike” and to make their decision in a “calm and cool manner.” Mr. Frampton has been supported throughout the trial at Oxford Crown Court by his wife, popstar Anne-Marie, with whom he was not yet in a relationship when the alleged attacks took place.