Slowthai jury told not to be 'Wagatha Christies'

Slowthai has been supported throughout the trial by his wife, the pop star Anne-Marie

Members of the jury in the rape case of the Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai have been encouraged not to be "Wagatha Christies" during its deliberations.

The 29-year-old, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, is accused of raping a woman following his performance at The Bullingdon, in Oxford, in September 2021.

He and his co-accused, Alex Blake-Walker, both deny three joint counts of rape. Mr Blake-Walker also denies one count of sexual assault.

The jury are expected to be sent out to consider its verdicts on Thursday.

During the final day of the trial, the jury was reminded by Heather Stangoe, prosecuting, that it must "decide this case on the evidence" it has heard.

She said jurors were "not investigators", adding that they should not try and be "Wagatha Christies" - in reference to the notorious legal battle between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.

"This is not C.S.I, this is not an American drama - this is a case about real people and things that happened in real life," Ms Stangoe added.

The rapper was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2021

Oxford Crown Court had previously heard the two men had been introduced to a group of eight women after Mr Frampton's performance.

The group of women and four men then headed to a house party, the court was told.

While some women remained inside, Mr Frampton and Mr Blake-Walker went up to the roof with the two complainants.

The prosecution then alleges Mr Blake-Walker raped the first women while being encouraged by Mr Frampton - who twice raped the second complainant while being buoyed on by Mr Blake-Walker.

'Question of consent'

Defending Mr Frampton, Patrick Gibbs KC said there were a dozen "problems" with the narrative put forward by the prosecution.

In his closing remarks, he said his client "wasn't everybody's stereotype of a rapper", adding he was a "thoughtful" and "modest" man who "throws himself, sometimes recklessly, into life".

"There's all the difference in the world between being up for a good time, in a boyish and immature way, and forcing yourself upon someone against their will," Mr Gibbs said in his closing remarks to the jury.

He added: "Even if he [Mr Frampton] is acquitted, it [the allegations] will not leave him."

"He'll be cancelled for the rest of time."

Sheryl Nwosu, defending Mr Blake-Walker, said in her closing remarks that the evidence put forward by the crown "doesn't fit with Mr Blake-Walker and his behaviour on the night".

She added that her "trustworthy" client believed the complainant had been "fully consenting" to the sexual acts.

Overseeing the case, Judge Ian Pringle said the case was a "question of consent".

He reminded the jury that there was "no stereotype for a perpetrator or victim of rape", adding that it "must be sure of guilt" to convict the two men.

Judge Pringle also asked jurors to "lay aside any feelings of sympathy or dislike" and make their decision in a "calm and cool manner".

Mr Frampton has been supported throughout the trial at Oxford Crown Court by his wife, the popstar Anne-Marie - whom he was not yet in a relationship with when the alleged attacks took place.