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Shock Verdict: Yung Filly Guilty of Assaulting Fan in Australia
British Rapper Yung Filly Found Guilty of Assault in Australian Court
What Happened?
A jury in Perth, Australia has reached a verdict in the trial of British social media star and rapper Yung Filly. His real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos. He is 30 years old and was born in Colombia.
The trial was about something that happened in a Perth hotel room in September 2024, after one of his concerts. A 20-year-old woman (who cannot be named for legal reasons) accused him of serious crimes.
The Charges Explained Simply
Think of criminal charges like a checklist of specific accusations. Barrientos faced 10 total charges:
| Charge Type | How Many | What It Means (Simple Version) |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 6 | Forcing someone to have sex without consent. |
| Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm | 3 | Hurting someone physically so they get injured. |
| Choking | 1 | Squeezing someone’s neck to stop them breathing. |
IMPORTANT POINT: HOW A JURY WORKS
A jury is a group of regular citizens (usually 12 people) who listen to all the evidence in a trial. They must decide if the person is "Guilty" (they did it) or "Not Guilty" (there isn’t enough proof they did it). They do not decide if someone is "innocent." If they cannot all agree, it is called a "hung jury."
The Verdict: What the Jury Decided
After three days of thinking it over (deliberating), the jury came back with a split decision:
GUILTY (2 Charges)
- Two counts of Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm.
- These specifically relate to biting the woman on the face and neck.
- Barrientos cried when he heard this verdict.
- His defense: He testified (spoke in court) that these were "love bites" and said she never complained that he was hurting her.
- Evidence: The court saw photos of the woman with bruises and bite marks.
NOT GUILTY (Some Charges)
- The jury found him Not Guilty on the choking charge.
- They also found him Not Guilty on some of the rape charges (the exact number wasn’t specified in the report, but see below).
NO DECISION / HUNG JURY (3 Charges)
- On three specific rape charges, the jury could not agree.
- Because they couldn’t reach a unanimous (everyone agrees) verdict, these charges are left open.
- What happens now? Prosecutors (the lawyers for the government) can decide to hold a retrial (a brand new trial) just for these three charges.
The Backstory: The Tour and Arrest
- Touring Australia: Barrientos was on a concert tour. He had already played shows in Sydney and Melbourne.
- The Incident: The alleged assault happened in Perth (Western Australia) after a show there.
- The Arrest: He wasn’t arrested right away. He flew to Brisbane (on the east coast) for the final stop of his tour. Police arrested him there several days later.
- Bail: He was released on bail (allowed to stay out of jail while waiting for trial) after being charged. He was even allowed to travel back to Britain for several months before the trial started.
What the Prosecutors Said
The prosecution (the side trying to prove he is guilty) argued that:
- The woman initially agreed to have sex (gave consent).
- However, she withdrew her consent (said "stop" / changed her mind) because she feared for her safety.
- In the eyes of the law, if consent is withdrawn and the other person continues, it becomes rape.
What Happens Next?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: AUGUST 21
Even though he was convicted of two assault charges, Barrientos remains free on bail.
The case returns to the District Court of Western Australia on August 21.
At that hearing, the judge will discuss:
- Sentencing for the two assault convictions (what his punishment will be).
- Next steps for the three rape charges the jury couldn’t decide on (will there be a retrial?).
Summary
- Who: British rapper Yung Filly (Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos).
- Where: District Court of Western Australia, Perth.
- Verdict: Guilty of 2 assault charges (biting). Not Guilty of choking and some rape charges. Hung Jury (no decision) on 3 rape charges.
- Current Status: Free on bail.
- Next Date: August 21 for sentencing discussion and retrial decision.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Does "Not Guilty" mean he is innocent?
No. In law, "Not Guilty" means the jury did not have enough evidence to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed those specific crimes. It is not the same as a court declaring him "Innocent."
2. What is a "Hung Jury"?
A hung jury happens when the 12 jurors cannot all agree on a verdict (Guilty or Not Guilty). It is a deadlock. When this happens, the trial for those specific charges ends without a result, and the prosecution can choose to start over with a new jury (a retrial).
3. Why was he allowed to go back to the UK if he was charged?
Courts grant bail based on risk. They decide if the person is a danger to the community or a "flight risk" (likely to run away and not come back for trial). The judge decided Barrientos was not a high enough risk to keep locked up before the trial, so he set conditions (like handing over a passport or checking in with police) that allowed him to travel.
4. What are "Love Bites"?
"Love bites" (also called hickeys) are bruises caused by kissing or sucking on the skin hard enough to break tiny blood vessels. Barrientos claimed the bite marks were consensual "love bites." The jury disagreed regarding the assault charges, deciding the biting caused actual bodily harm beyond what was consented to.
5. Can the victim be named?
No. In Australia (and many countries), laws protect the identity of sexual assault complainants. The media is legally banned from publishing her name or any details that could identify her.
