UK rapper and YouTube star Yung Filly has been charged with reckless driving while out on bail for rape and assault charges in Australia.
The 29-year-old internet personality – real name Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos – has been accused by police in Perth, Australia of driving past a speed camera at 158km/h (98mph) on a Perth highway back in November (as per BBC).
Police have shared that the speeding incident occurred on November 17 in the High Wycombe area of Perth, where the speed limit is 100km/h, and added that his car ended up impounded (as per The Canberra Times).
The incident is alleged to have occurred at the same time that Barrientos was on bail over allegedly attacking a woman at a hotel in the city back in September. The rapper and internet personality is set to appear in court for is accusation of reckless driving on December 19.
He will also appear in court for his rape and assault charges which include three counts of assault, four counts of sexual penetration without consent, and one count of impeding a person’s normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure on or to their neck.
The alleged assault of the woman in her 20s allegedly took place in a Perth hotel room on September 28 following Barrientos’ performance at the nightclub Bar120 on September 27 (as per The Independent).
It was reported that images of the woman’s injuries allegedly caused by Barrientos were given to the magistrate by the prosecution. “No ordinary person can consent in these circumstances,” the prosecution said. “Across her body is a history of violent acts… We say these photos and what is alleged is beyond the pale, beyond what could be considered to be a consensual act.”
Barrientos was granted bail by a WA magistrate but under strict conditions such as the ban from posting about the case on social media or contacting his alleged victim. He must also remain in Western Australia and report to authorities daily.
The rapper and YouTuber was born in Cali, Colombia, and moved to the UK as a child with his family. He lived in Orpington in Bromley, and later took an interest in the south-east London grime scene.
Earlier this year, he released a joint single with Aitch titled ‘Grey’. His other collaborators include Chunkz and Geko.
Barrientos, who has 1.84million YouTube subscribers, won a MOBO Award in 2021 for Best Media Personality.
In 2018, he hosted the TV show Hot Property on BBC Three, and later presented the game show Yung Filly’s Celeb Lock-In. Additionally, Barrientos has made guest appearances on The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer on Channel 4 and Would I Lie To You? on BBC One.
He also played for England in the charity football match Soccer Aid in 2020, joining the likes of James Bay and Olly Murs on the team.
For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.