The legal case surrounding British rapper Slowthai has taken center stage as the Oxford Crown Court hears shocking allegations against him and his friend, Alex Blake-Walker. Born Tyron Frampton, the musician has been charged with rape, and the trial began with probing testimonies from the prosecution detailing the alleged events following one of Slowthai's concerts.
On September 7, 2021, Slowthai performed at the Bullingdon venue in Oxford. After the show, he and Blake-Walker - who is described as part of Slowthai's entourage - are accused of committing heinous acts against two women at a house party. According to the prosecution’s opening statements, Slowthai and Blake-Walker met the women before the concert, providing them with VIP tickets, which eventually led to the night spiraling out of control.
During the prosecution's presentation, it was claimed by Heather Stangoe, representing the prosecution, the men structured the after-party with rules: "No phones and no boys,” implying they sought to isolate the women from their friends. Their intent, as outlined by the prosecution, was to secure sexual gratification without regard for consent. Stangoe described how the evening's developments led to the two women being coerced after what initially seemed like mutual attraction escalated with dire consequences.
Witness testimonies painted chilling scenes of the party atmosphere, which quickly turned disturbing. It was alleged the two men used psychologically manipulative tactics to gain control over the situations. The less-than-appropriate comments made during the assaults—discussing "tag teams" and high-fiving as they attacked the women—have raised alarm and disgust among those following the trial.
Both Frampton and Blake-Walker have pleaded not guilty, defending their position by claiming the sexual activity was consensual. Patrick Gibbs, representing Slowthai, urged the jury to focus on the question of consent and reminded them of the distinction between enthusiastic consent versus regretful acknowledgment post-factum based on circumstances, particularly the dynamic between fans and celebrities. He suggested the possibility of the women engaging more enthusiastically due to the aura surrounding the rapper.
After the house party, once the conditions became unbearable for the women involved, they sought help and reported the incident to the police later the same night. Upon being arrested, both Frampton and Blake-Walker denied any wrongdoing, asserting all engagements had been consensual and emphasizing their cooperative attitude during police questioning.
One of the alleged victims recounted her experiences, noting initial excitement about meeting Slowthai but later describing events after consensual kissing devolved rapidly. Under cross-examination, she repeatedly stressed her discomfort and lack of consent when pressed for sexual acts, stating, "When he pushed me down, I said I didn’t want to do it. I said repeatedly I wanted to go back inside." This statement highlights not only her fear but also the manipulative tactics employed by Blake-Walker.
Continuing with the testimony, she reflected on how everything transpired too quickly, leaving her vulnerable and scared. “It was a very scary time,” she conveyed, effectively articulately showing the psychological impact such actions have on victims.
Meanwhile, efforts to discredit the testimonies have emerged, with Blake-Walker's defense claiming the interactions were consensual and stemmed from mutual attraction. This tactic, often employed during sexual assault trials, raises questions about how victims' testimonies can be misconstrued to fit narratives favoring the accused.
Throughout the trial, observers noted the emotional weight borne by the victims as they recounted distressing accounts against public figures who enjoy celebrity status. The case has sparked discussions on broader societal issues relating to consent, celebrity culture, and accountability.
Slowthai, now facing strict scrutiny, saw his career impacted heavily as he was dropped from significant festival lineups including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds post-allegations. With the trial expected to continue for at least three weeks, the public and advocates for change are closely watching the proceedings, which hold the potential to challenge norms surrounding celebrity privilege and the handling of sexual assault cases.
This case reflects larger conversations pertaining to consent, accountability, and the need for support mechanisms for victims of sexual assault, notwithstanding the public persona of the accused.
The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, leaving many eager to see justice served and whether it can propel systemic changes to how such allegations are treated within the entertainment industry.
