British rapper and YouTuber Yung Filly will face a retrial in Australia on three rape charges after a jury cleared him of several other sexual assault offences but could not reach a verdict on the remaining counts.
The case relates to an incident in September 2024, when Barrientos was on tour in Australia. Prosecutors allege he sexually assaulted a 20-year-old fan in his hotel room in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth, after performing at a nightclub.
Barrientos told the court he had “fancied” the woman after meeting her in the VIP area of the concert venue. She had been leaning over the barrier from the general admission area. He said the “vibes were good” between them when they later went to his hotel.
However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on three other rape charges. The court has now ordered a retrial on those counts.
He was found guilty on two counts of assault that were unrelated to the rape allegations. Sentencing for those convictions has been delayed until after the retrial is completed.
Barrientos is currently on bail. He is due to appear in court again on 27 August for an application to vary his bail conditions. A date for the retrial has not yet been set.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Danielle Clarke described Barrientos as an “entitled” man with a “moderate degree of fame” who had violated the fan “in the most intrusive way possible.”His defence lawyer countered that the complainant’s evidence contained “inconsistencies, embellishments and outright lies
Born in Colombia and raised in the UK, Barrientos rose to prominence as part of the YouTube collective Beta Squad. He built a large following through comedy sketches, reaction videos, and music.
Beyond YouTube, he has appeared on mainstream UK television. He competed in the celebrity version of Bake Off on Channel 4 and has presented shows for BBC Three.
His music career runs alongside his online content, with releases under the name Yung Filly. The case has drawn significant attention because of his profile as both a musician and a social media personality.the legal process is now paused until the retrial. Barrientos will remain on bail, subject to any changes the court makes on 27 August
Legal experts note that retrials are common when a jury cannot agree. The prosecution must decide whether to proceed with the same evidence and witnesses. In this case, they have indicated they intend to call the complainant again.
For Barrientos, the retrial means months more of legal uncertainty. For the complainant, it means preparing to give evidence a second time.The case has been closely watched in both the UK and Australia, in part because of Barrientos’ public profile and in part because of broader conversations around consent, fame, and accountability.
Sexual assault trials in Australia often hinge on credibility and the interpretation of consent, especially when the parties initially agreed to be together. Courts must weigh conflicting accounts and determine whether consent was withdrawn and ignored.
Barrientos has not made a public statement outside of court since the verdict. His representatives have said he maintains his innocence on the charges going to retrialthe charges and trial have put Barrientos’ touring and media work on hold. Since his arrest in 2024, he has made few public appearances.
Beta Squad and other collaborators have not commented on the case. The BBC has also not announced any new projects featuring him.for fans who followed him from YouTube to television to music, the retrial represents an unresolved chapter. For the court, it is a matter of determining facts and applying the law.
The next hearing on 27 August will address bail conditions. After that, the court will set a date for the retrial, where a new jury will hear the evidence on the three rape charges.Until then, Barrientos remains presumed innocent on those counts, while awaiting sentencing on the two assault convictions.
