In brief
A jury in Western Australia ruled Yung Filly not guilty on three counts of sexual penetration without consent but found him guilty on two assault charges. The 30‑year‑old YouTuber pleaded not guilty throughout, bringing his case back to the UK after a brief stay abroad. With three hung jury verdicts on remaining rape charges prosecutors will decide whether to press on. The verdict has heightened scrutiny on celebrity behavior and the handling of sexual assault claims in the media.
In a highly publicised courtroom in Western Australia a jury found 30‑year‑old Yung Filly – whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos – not guilty of three counts of sexual penetration without consent following a nightclub performance in 2024. The decision meanwhile confirmed the rapper’s guilt on two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.
The London‑born YouTube star was accused of sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old fan in his hotel room after a show in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth. Evidence included photographs of bruises and bite marks on the victim’s face and neck, and testimony that Yung Filly had tried to choke her. Despite this, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on three additional rape charges, leaving those cases unresolved.
Barrientos was also found not guilty of one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and a strangulation charge. He has remained on bail pending sentencing, which will be set for 21 August. Prosecutors are currently reviewing whether to pursue the hung rape accusations.
During trial proceedings the rapper admitted to touching the victim’s waist and that the – “love bites” he gave her were fully consensual; he denied the woman had told him to stop. His defence team highlighted inconsistencies in the accuser’s statements, while the prosecution described him as an entitled celebrity who used his status to exploit a fan.
Yung Filly has amassed a sizeable following with 1.8 million YouTube subscribers and millions on TikTok and Instagram. He has also appeared on the celebrity edition of Bake Off and hosted BBC Three shows. The recent ruling has prompted wider public debate about how sexual assault claims against well‑known public figures are handled and the balance between justice and celebrity influence.
