Rapper Slowthai has been cleared in court today.
Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, became emotional in court after being acquitted of raping a fan at an after-show party.
The 29-year-old artist had faced allegations of raping a woman following his performance at The Bullingdon in Oxford in September 2021. Alongside his co-defendant, Alex Blake-Walker, Slowthai was found not guilty on three joint charges of rape after a trial at Oxford Crown Court. Mr. Blake-Walker was also acquitted of a separate count of sexual assault.
When the jury, comprising eight men and four women, delivered the majority verdicts after over 10 hours of deliberation, Mr. Frampton broke down in tears in the dock, with crying also heard from the public gallery.
The trial revealed that a group of women who met Mr. Frampton before his show in Oxford had invited him and his friends to a party. Prosecutors claimed that Mr. Blake-Walker raped one woman while allegedly encouraged by Mr. Frampton, who was accused of raping another woman twice. Mr. Frampton admitted to consensual sexual activity with the second woman, firmly denying the allegations. “I know she was consenting; there wasn’t a question,” he testified.
Throughout the trial, Mr. Frampton was supported by his wife, pop star Anne-Marie. His defense lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, argued that even an acquittal would not free his client from the shadow of the allegations, describing Slowthai as a “thoughtful” and “modest” individual who approaches life with passion, albeit sometimes recklessly.
Judge Ian Pringle KC acknowledged the intense emotions surrounding the case and granted Mr. Frampton and Mr. Blake-Walker their freedom following the verdict.
Known for his energetic and intense performances, Slowthai’s stage name originates from his childhood in Northampton, where he was noted for speaking slowly and stuttering. His career includes three albums and nominations for a Grammy Award and the Mercury Prize. However, following his 2023 charges, Slowthai was removed from the Glastonbury, Reading, and Leeds festival line-ups.