The short version
- A Western Australian court has scheduled a retrial for June 2027 regarding three rape charges against British rapper Yung Filly.
- The previous jury acquitted the artist of one rape count, assault, and strangulation but convicted him on two separate assault charges.
- Sentencing for the convictions will be delayed until after the retrial concludes, with the defendant currently permitted to remain in the UK.
The legal proceedings involving British rapper Yung Filly are set to resume in Australia next year, following a partial deadlock during his initial trial. Perth’s District Court has officially scheduled the start of the retrial for June 15, with expectations that the hearing will span eight days. This development follows a July verdict in which a jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on three specific counts of rape, necessitating a new trial for those allegations while other charges were resolved.
During the earlier proceedings, the jury acquitted Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, known professionally as Yung Filly, of one count of rape, one charge of assault, and one allegation of strangulation. However, the jurors did find him guilty on two separate counts of assault. The unresolved nature of the three remaining rape charges means that the legal uncertainty surrounding those specific allegations will continue until the new trial concludes.
The allegations stem from an incident in Perth, Western Australia, following a concert in 2024. A fan, who was twenty years old at the time, alleges that Barrientos repeatedly raped and assaulted her inside his hotel room. The prosecution’s case relied on her testimony that the encounter began consensually but turned violent when she attempted to withdraw consent, claiming he refused to stop.
Defense arguments presented during the initial trial contested these claims, maintaining that the sexual activity was consensual throughout. Barrientos has consistently denied the rape allegations. The failure of the jury to reach a verdict on three counts suggests significant disagreement or difficulty in interpreting the evidence regarding those specific incidents, leading to the court’s decision to order a retrial rather than declare a mistrial on all counts.
Barrientos, who was born in Colombia and raised in the United Kingdom, has built a substantial public profile through his music career. He is widely recognized for his association with the YouTube collective Beta Squad, which helped launch his prominence in the digital music space. Beyond his musical endeavors, he has appeared in mainstream television programs, including the celebrity edition of Bake Off on Channel 4 and various shows presented on BBC Three.
Following the partial verdicts in July, Barrientos was not required to remain in Australia pending the retrial. The court granted him permission to leave the country as part of his bail conditions, and he is understood to have returned to the UK. His absence from the jurisdiction does not halt the legal process, as the schedule for the June retrial has already been established by the District Court.
The resolution of the assault convictions will also be delayed. Sentencing for the two charges on which Barrientos was found guilty in July will not take place until after the retrial for the rape charges is completed. This procedural step ensures that the final legal outcome reflects the totality of the court’s findings, including any potential changes or confirmations from the upcoming trial.
The case highlights the complexities of sexual assault trials where consent and subsequent violence are central points of contention. The split verdict—acquittals on some charges, convictions on others, and a hung jury on the remainder—illustrates the nuanced way juries may interpret different aspects of the same incident. As the retrial approaches, attention will focus on whether new evidence or arguments can sway a second jury to reach a definitive conclusion on the three outstanding rape counts.
Legal observers note that retrials often involve similar testimony but may benefit from clearer instructions or different juror perspectives. The eight-day duration anticipated for the June hearing suggests a focused examination of the disputed facts. Until then, Barrientos remains free under bail conditions, with his legal team preparing for the next phase of proceedings in Western Australia.
The outcome of this retrial will determine the final legal standing of the rape allegations against the artist. While the assault convictions are already secured, the potential for additional convictions or acquittals on the rape charges could significantly impact both his legal record and public perception. The case remains a subject of interest in both the UK and Australia, given Barrientos’s international profile and the serious nature of the charges.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗British rapper Yung Filly to face rape retrial in Australia next June
