Slowthai party guests 'told an orgy was happening'

Tyron Frampton, known by the stage name Slowthai, arrives at Oxford Crown Court with his wife Anne-Marie Nicholson in November

People at a party where Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai and his friend were alleged to have raped two women were told an "orgy" was happening, a court has heard.

The musician, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, 29, and his co-accused Alex Blake-Walker, 27, are on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Mr Frampton had performed at The Bullingdon music venue in Oxford on the evening of 7 September 2021, and the alleged assaults took place later.

Both deny three joint charges of rape and one of sexual assault against two women.

Navinder Nangla, Mr Frampton's friend and a stylist on his tour, said he had been at the party for about 10 minutes when he heard someone comment about what was allegedly happening upstairs.

Mr Nangla, who was in the living room with other partygoers, told the court: "One girl had said she is a slag and another girl said 'there is an orgy happening'. We really did not take much notice of it."

He added: "There was a lot shouting and screaming. She said this girl is not meant to be here."

He said he did not know who the orgy comment was related to, or in which room in the house it was supposed to have happened.

Mr Frampton performs under the name Slowthai

The jury previously heard that, after the gig, the two complainants went to Mr Frampton's tour bus before heading to their friend's house for a party - with Mr Frampton and Mr Blake-Walker joining the group.

All four then went on to the roof of the property, where it is claimed that the rapes took place.

The prosecution alleges Mr Blake-Walker raped the first complainant while being encouraged by Mr Frampton, and that Mr Frampton twice raped the second complainant while being encouraged by Mr Blake-Walker.

It is said they both sexually assaulted the woman whom Mr Frampton is alleged to have raped.

A burst of shouting and swearing broke out as Mr Nangla made his way to the front door with Mr Frampton. Mr Nangla said: "Some girls (were) shouting, saying 'we have lost respect, just go, get out'."

He described the atmosphere between himself and the accused after they left the house as being "more confused than anything".

'Consenting'

Mr Frampton previously told the jury that sexual activity had taken place between him and the second complainant, but insisted she had been consenting. He accepted that he and Mr Blake-Walker had "fist-bumped" at the time but denied this was encouraging each other.

On Monday, Adam Royal, a marketing executive in the music industry who counts Mr Frampton as a friend, described the rapper as "lovely, friendly, fun, great to be around and just to be a friend with".

He said he has "never" seen Mr Frampton behave inappropriately towards any of his fans, including those who are female.

Defence counsel Patrick Gibbs explained that Mr Frampton is accused of rape and also of persevering with sexual contact without consent.

He asked: "Have you ever seen anything like that from him?"

Mr Royal replied he would "not put that association with him", adding: "No. It is a million miles away from anything I have come to know of him."