UK Rapper Yung Filly Cleared of Rape Charges After Australian Show but Convicted on Assault Counts

By Stacy Adunmi · Published July 31, 2026

British rapper, YouTuber and television personality Yung Filly has been acquitted of several rape charges following a high-profile trial in Australia, bringing a major development in a case that has attracted international media attention since his arrest in 2024.

A jury at the District Court of Western Australia found the entertainer, whose real name is Andrés Felipe Valencia Barrientos, not guilty of three counts of sexual penetration without consent, as well as one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of choking or impeding breathing. However, jurors convicted him on two counts of assault causing bodily harm, while they were unable to reach verdicts on three additional rape charges, leaving prosecutors to decide whether to seek a retrial on those outstanding counts. (AP News)

Allegations Stemmed from Perth Hotel Incident

The case related to an incident that occurred in September 2024, after Yung Filly performed at a nightclub in Perth, Western Australia.

Prosecutors alleged that after the show, Barrientos and a 20-year-old woman went to his hotel room, where an initially consensual sexual encounter allegedly became non-consensual. The woman testified that she withdrew her consent during the encounter and accused the entertainer of raping her multiple times, assaulting her and restricting her breathing. (ABC News)

Barrientos consistently denied the allegations, maintaining throughout the trial that sexual activity was consensual.

Defence Argued Encounter Was Consensual

During the eight-day trial, Barrientos testified in his own defence, telling the court that the interaction between himself and the complainant was consensual from beginning to end.

He acknowledged biting the woman during the encounter but described the bites as consensual "love bites" rather than assaults. Defence lawyers argued there was no evidence that he continued sexual activity after consent had allegedly been withdrawn and challenged aspects of the complainant's account.

The prosecution, meanwhile, presented photographs showing bruises and bite marks on the woman's face, neck and breasts, arguing that the injuries supported her allegations of assault.

Jury Delivers Mixed Verdict

After deliberating, the jury returned a mixed verdict.

Barrientos was acquitted of:

• Three counts of sexual penetration without consent.
• One count of assault occasioning bodily harm.
• One count of choking or impeding breathing.

However, the jury found him guilty of two assault charges relating to biting the complainant, concluding that those actions constituted criminal assault. Jurors could not unanimously agree on three remaining rape charges, resulting in a hung jury on those counts. Prosecutors are expected to decide whether those unresolved charges will be retried.

Emotional Courtroom Scenes

Media reports said Barrientos became visibly emotional after the verdicts were delivered, reportedly breaking down in tears inside the courtroom.

He remains on bail pending a future court appearance, where sentencing on the assault convictions and any decision regarding a possible retrial on the unresolved rape charges are expected to be addressed.

Career Interrupted by Legal Battle

Before the allegations emerged, Yung Filly had built a successful career as a content creator, musician and television presenter.

Born in Cali, Colombia, he moved to the United Kingdom as a child and rose to prominence through YouTube before launching a music career. He later became a presenter on several BBC Three programmes and collaborated with prominent creators including Chunkz.

Following his arrest in October 2024, several commercial partnerships were suspended or cancelled, while appearances on television and online platforms were put on hold pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. (Wikipedia)

Legal Process Not Yet Over

Although Barrientos was acquitted on several of the most serious charges, the case has not been fully concluded.

Under Australian law, prosecutors may choose to pursue a retrial on charges where a jury is unable to reach a verdict. Authorities have not yet announced whether they will proceed with another trial on the unresolved counts.

Legal experts note that an acquittal on some charges does not affect the assault convictions already returned by the jury, and sentencing on those offences will proceed separately unless altered through subsequent legal proceedings.

Public Reaction

The verdict has generated widespread discussion across social media and within the entertainment industry.

Supporters of Barrientos welcomed the acquittals on the rape charges, while others pointed out that the assault convictions remain significant and that the unresolved charges mean the legal process is not yet complete.

Advocates for victims of sexual violence also emphasised the importance of respecting the judicial process and avoiding online harassment of those involved in the case.

Legal commentators noted that the mixed verdict reflects the jury's assessment of each charge individually based on the evidence presented, rather than a blanket finding in favour of either side.

What Happens Next?

Barrientos is expected to return to court for further proceedings related to sentencing on the assault convictions. Prosecutors will also determine whether to seek a retrial on the three unresolved rape counts.

Until that decision is made, the legal proceedings remain active.

The case has attracted significant attention in both the United Kingdom and Australia because of Barrientos' popularity as a digital creator and musician, highlighting the intense public scrutiny that often accompanies criminal proceedings involving high-profile public figures.