‘I fancied her’: British YouTuber denies raping, assaulting Perth woman after show

British YouTuber Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, known online as "Yung Filly," has denied allegations that he raped and assaulted a young fan following a performance in Perth, Western Australia, in September 2024. The 30-year-old London-based influencer is currently on trial in Perth’s District Court, facing 10 charges, including multiple counts of rape and assault. The case has drawn public attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant and the serious nature of the accusations. According to testimony presented in court, the incident occurred during the early stages of Barrientos’ first-ever tour. He performed at the Bar1 nightclub in Hillarys, where he reportedly approached a 20-year-old woman in the VIP area. During their conversation, Barrientos stated he “fancied her” and invited her back to his hotel room. He claims they engaged in consensual sexual activity before the encounter allegedly escalated. However, the woman who accused him described the situation as non-consensual, claiming that Barrientos began to physically harm her during the interaction. The woman testified that Barrientos placed his hands inside her pants and touched her breasts while they were together. She described the experience as traumatic, stating she tried to resist and repeatedly told him he was hurting her. She recounted how she attempted to signal that she wanted to stop the encounter, but Barrientos continued, leading to what she described as a violent escalation. She said she struggled against him and even tried to “tap out” during moments of intense pain, but each time she spoke up, the force increased. In response to these allegations, Barrientos has categorically denied any wrongdoing. On Monday, he told the jury that the encounter was consensual and that he believed the woman was willing to participate. He described the atmosphere as positive, noting that the woman had “good energy.” When asked about physical contact, he admitted to placing his hand on her waist but insisted that this was part of a friendly gesture rather than anything inappropriate. Barrientos also claimed that the woman voluntarily joined him in his hotel room at the Intercontinental Hotel on Hay Street. According to his account, the visit was intended as an after-party, and the couple engaged in sexual activity. He insists that the relationship remained consensual throughout, though he acknowledged that the woman became uncomfortable at some point. The prosecution has presented conflicting accounts of the night. While Barrientos maintains that the encounter was mutual, the victim’s testimony paints a very different picture. She described the incident as deeply distressing, emphasizing that she felt powerless and violated. Her statements have been corroborated by other witnesses, though none have directly witnessed the events in question. The trial has proceeded over several days, with both sides presenting evidence and testimonies. Legal experts suggest that the outcome will depend heavily on the credibility of the testimonies and the strength of the evidence supporting either side. As the trial continues, the court will weigh the accounts of the parties involved, considering the context of the relationship between the accuser and the defendant, as well as the broader implications of the case within the entertainment industry. As the proceedings unfold, the community awaits the verdict, which could have significant legal and social ramifications. The case highlights ongoing concerns around consent and power dynamics in personal relationships, particularly involving public figures. The court’s decision will likely set a precedent for similar cases in the future.