In brief
Yung Filly, the popular UK‑born Canadian‑Colombian YouTuber, will return to an Australian court to face a retrial on four rape charges after a jury found him not guilty on three counts. He was initially charged with repeatedly raping and assaulting a fan during a Perth performance tour in 2024, and while a jury cleared him on several sexual assault and strangulation charges, they convicted him on two assault counts. The court will decide now on the remaining rape allegations following a bail application set for 27 August, with a sentencing drawn up only after the retrial. The case has drawn sharp responses from both prosecution, which claims the complainant will testify again, and defense, which alleges inconsistencies in the accuser’s testimony. Yung Filly, already a media personality on BBC Three and Bake Off, faces the possibility of a harsher sentence if the new trial finds him guilty.
After a jury cleared him of several sexual assault offences, the YouTuber will appear again in court on the remaining rape charges.
The 31‑year‑old social media star, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, was accused in Perth of raping and assaulting a 20‑year‑old fan after performing at a nightclub in 2024. The allegations stem from an encounter that began in the concert venue’s VIP area, reportedly escalating to a hotel room where the alleged victim said the rapper “turned violent” and ignored her pleas to stop.
Last month a jury found Yung Filly not guilty on three counts of rape. It also acquitted him of one assault charge and one strangulation allegation, but convicted him on two separate assault charges. The sentencing for those two convictions has been deferred until the outcome of the pending retrial.
The high‑profile case is scheduled to continue with the rapper’s bail variances hearing on 27 August. The court has yet to set a retrial date; the prosecution has indicated the complainant is willing to testify again, while the defense lawyer claims the evidence is riddled with inconsistencies, embellishments and outright lies.
Yung Filly, known for his contributions to the YouTube collective Beta Squad, has crossed over into mainstream media with appearances on the celebrity version of Bake Off on Channel 4 and as a presenter on BBC Three. He has been a controversial figure in the UK and Australian music scenes, a fact that may influence jury deliberations on this retrial.
