Rapper Yung Filly to face retrial over rape charges in Australia

An Australian court will hold a retrial for British rapper and YouTube personality Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, after jurors could not agree on three rape charges against him. He had faced 10 charges in total and denied all of them.

The case stems from an incident after Barrientos performed at a nightclub in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth, in 2024, where he is accused of repeatedly raping and assaulting a 20-year-old fan in his hotel room.

Last month, a jury acquitted the 31-year-old on three counts of rape, as well as one assault charge and a strangulation charge. However, he was convicted on two counts of assault, for which sentencing will take place only after the retrial concludes.

During proceedings in the Western Australian court, it emerged that the encounter began with consensual sex between Barrientos and the fan in his hotel room. She later alleged that he became violent and ignored her requests to stop.

Barrientos is due back in court on 27 August for a bail variation application, though no date has yet been set for the retrial. Prosecutors have indicated the complainant is prepared to testify again.

In his testimony, Barrientos said he had been attracted to the woman when they met at the venue, where he was in the VIP section while she stood at the barrier in the general admission area. He told the court the atmosphere between them remained positive once they reached the hotel. Prosecutor Danielle Clarke described Barrientos as an entitled figure with a degree of fame who violated the woman in an especially intrusive manner, while his defence lawyer argued her account contained inconsistencies and fabrications.

Born in Colombia and raised in the UK, Barrientos is known for his work with YouTube group Beta Squad, an appearance on Channel 4's celebrity Bake Off, and hosting shows for BBC Three.