The UK rapper Slowthai, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, and his co-defendant Alex Blake-Walker were found not guilty of multiple charges related to alleged sexual assaults at a house party following a concert. The trial, which concluded recently, saw both men acquitted of three joint counts of rape after the jury deliberated for 10 hours.
The charges stemmed from incidents involving two women who reported the assaults took place back in September 2021 at one of the women's homes after attending Slowthai's concert. Friends of the women had met Frampton and Blake-Walker prior to the show, receiving VIP tickets as part of the interaction. Following the concert, the group went to the women’s residence to continue the festivities.
During the trial, prosecutor Heather Stangoe delivered her opening statement, pleading with the jury to focus strictly on the evidence, saying, "This is not CSI, this is not an American drama—this is a case about real people and things happened in real life." Her comments were directed toward adding gravity to the serious nature of the allegations against the defendants.
The prosecution's narrative painted a grim picture of the events, alleging the women were isolated from their friends and subjected to coercive actions by the defendants. According to the court proceedings, it was claimed the men joked and high-fived during their alleged assaults on the women, making light of serious violations as they occurred.
One of the accusers detailed her experience, stating, "I said stop to him... Slowthai was trying to pull my hair so I would continue." She recalled feeling utterly helpless at the moment, reflecting, “I felt helpless, like my body was not my own.” The horrors of her recount bred sympathy and concern as it painted the defendants as aggressors.
Fighting back against the prosecution's case, the defense contended the sexual activities were consensual. Slowthai took the stand and refuted the claims, saying he knew there was consent, mentioning, “I know she was consenting, there wasn’t a question... She was the one who initiated oral sex.” He admitted to responding with excitement during the encounter, saying, “It was 50/50. We were laughing, we were smiling, we were looking each other’s eyes. It is just not true.”
Patrick Gibbs, the defense lawyer, addressed the jury, highlighting key differences between youthful exuberance and criminality. He stated, "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." Emphasis here was placed on the contrasting narratives and how the perception of celebrity can influence social interactions and consent.
When the verdict was read, Slowthai reportedly broke down. He exited the courtroom with tears, alongside his partner Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson, unable to comment to the press. The emotional weight of the verdict and the toll of the trial experience on both him and his co-defendant were evident.
The two women had approached police the night of the alleged incident, and though they went through significant trauma, the case caught public interest for its high-profile nature. Slowthai's celebrity status complicated the dynamics surrounding the allegations, with many opinions on both sides becoming quite polarized. Some viewed him as unassailable due to fame, others as vulnerable to the fallout of public accusation.
Despite their acquittals, both Slowthai and Blake-Walker have faced considerable judgment and speculation stemming from the case. Legal experts have noted how such outcomes can significantly affect future prospects for those accused, even resulting in what some refer to as the 'cancellation' of one's career. Just before the trial’s conclusion, Gibbs warned, "Even if acquitted, he’ll be canceled for the rest of time.”
The case has stirred conversations far beyond the courtroom, leading to discussions around consent and the impact of celebrity relationships on societal norms. While the court's decision has provided some closure for the defendants, the emotional scars for the accusers remain, underlying the complex nature of sexual consent and accountability.
