The trial of British rapper Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, entered its second day in the West Australian District Court. A 20-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, testified that she dreamed of a Victoria and David Beckham-style romance with the musician before he allegedly raped her in a Perth hotel room in September 2024.
Woman Describes Idolization and Alleged Assault
The woman told the court she was excited to meet Barrientos after he performed at a late-night venue. “He was my idol at the time - I was naive,” she said. In videos shown to the court, the woman stated she loved Barrientos and would marry him after meeting him in the VIP area. She also agreed with defense lawyer David Edwardson KC that she wanted a relationship similar to that of Victoria and David Beckham.
“It was the closest thing to your dreams coming true?” Mr Edwardson asked. “At the time, yes,” the woman replied. “You saw yourself as a potential Victoria Beckham?” “Yes,” she answered.
Allegations of Sexual Assault and Violence
The woman alleged that after meeting at the club, Barrientos gave her numerous tequila shots and said, “You’re coming home with me tonight.” She claimed he put both hands down her pants and touched her breast while they were talking. “It was so loud in the club that he was already talking close ... and his hands went down the back of my pants,” she testified.
In videos shown to the court, the woman said, “Filly touched me but not in a bad way, in a good way.” However, she later clarified that the events occurred at a different time than when the video was recorded. Mr Edwardson challenged her account, asserting his client did not touch her inappropriately. The woman responded, crying, “He did put his hands down the back of my pants. He did touch my boob.”
Dispute Over Leaving the Club
The defense also questioned the woman’s version of how she left the club with Barrientos. The court heard that the woman was in the toilet when Barrientos prepared to leave, and a relative messaged her to warn her. Mr Edwardson suggested she chased after him, but the woman denied this. “I wasn’t chasing him,” she said.
CCTV footage showed Barrientos leaving the venue and walking to a minivan. The woman soon followed and approached the vehicle but did not immediately get in. She told the court Barrientos waved at her from about 10 metres away, and she followed. Mr Edwardson pressed her on whether she believed she was going to an after-party or his hotel. “You didn’t see girls get into the car. You knew there was no after-party,” he said. “That’s incorrect,” the woman replied.
Charges and Ongoing Trial
Barrientos has pleaded not guilty to six counts of sexually penetrating the woman without consent, one count of impeding her breathing by applying pressure to her neck, and three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm. The trial continues in Perth, Australia.
