A reggae musician accused of assaulting four young girls in a series of incidents stretching back to 2005 has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges against him.
Allegations and Court Appearance
Byron Broderick, 58, who performs under the stage name King Bootielero, faces three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault involving victims aged between eight and 16. The alleged offences occurred between 2005 and 2017. Broderick appeared at Wood Green Crown Court via video-link on Tuesday, where he denied all five charges.
Originally from St Mary, Jamaica, Broderick is a prolific reggae artist who has released nine albums in just two years. His music is available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Defence Concerns and Trial Date
Katie Mustard, representing Broderick, informed the court that the trial might extend beyond ten days due to potential difficulties the jury may have in understanding the defendant's accent. She stated: 'There are potential issues understanding his accent.'
Judge Timothy Walker addressed the artist, saying: 'You have pleaded not guilty to these matters. Your trial will take place on 4 January next year. That is the earliest date that the court could accommodate.' Broderick was remanded in custody pending his trial.
Police Investigation
The charges stem from a Metropolitan Police investigation that began in June 2025 when a woman, now in her twenties, reported non-recent allegations to the authorities. Detective Constable Liam Levy, who is leading the investigation, commented: 'It takes a significant amount of bravery to come forward and report allegations of a sexual nature. We are continuing to support the women who have come forward.'
He added: 'Our investigation remains open and we would encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us. All information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.'
