British rapper and online personality Yung Filly has taken the witness stand in his ongoing criminal trial in Australia, telling jurors that his interactions with the woman accusing him of rape were friendly and consensual before the alleged incident.
The entertainer, whose legal name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, is facing multiple serious charges stemming from an encounter following a nightclub performance in Perth in 2024.
He has denied all allegations.
Rapper Says He Was Attracted to the Woman
Appearing before the District Court of Western Australia on Monday, Barrientos described meeting the woman during his performance at a nightclub in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth.
He testified that he found the then-20-year-old attractive after spotting her near the stage while he was in the venue’s VIP section.
According to his account, the pair later spent time together after leaving the club.
Barrientos rejected claims that he behaved inappropriately during their initial interaction.
Denies Inappropriate Contact at the Venue
During his testimony, the 30-year-old acknowledged placing a hand on the woman’s waist but denied allegations that he touched her breast or put his hands inside her clothing.
He maintained that there was mutual interest between them and insisted that nothing inappropriate occurred while they were at the nightclub.
Court Hears His Version of Events at the Hotel
Barrientos also described the atmosphere after they arrived at his hotel, telling the court that the “vibes were good” between them.
Addressing questions about the woman’s mobile phone being taken away, he explained that his security guard collected it as part of what he described as a routine privacy measure used to protect guests and those accompanying him.
Prosecution Claims Encounter Turned Violent
The court has previously heard allegations that the pair initially engaged in consensual sexual activity before the situation allegedly became violent.
Prosecutors claim the woman told Barrientos to stop during the encounter and later accused him of sexually assaulting her.
Barrientos has consistently denied those allegations.
Multiple Charges Remain Before the Court
The British performer has pleaded not guilty to six counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, and one count of strangulation.
The trial is continuing as the court considers evidence from both the prosecution and the defense before reaching a verdict.
Social Media Star Returned From UK for Trial
Barrientos was touring Australia when the alleged offences took place.
He was granted bail after being charged and was permitted to return to the United Kingdom for several months before traveling back to Western Australia to stand trial.
Outside his music career, he is widely recognized as a member of the YouTube collective Beta Squad and has appeared on several British television programs, including the celebrity edition of Bake Off and BBC Three productions.
He also commands a significant online following, with millions of subscribers and followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
