Grime artist denies 31 charges including rape and false imprisonment

A grime artist has denied charges of rape, assault by penetration, false imprisonment and assault.
Bristol Crown CourtBristol Crown Court
Bristol Crown Court

Andy Anokye, 31, who performs under the stage name Solo 45, appeared at Bristol Crown Court to deny 31 charges against him.

The charges, relating to four alleged victims, include 22 counts of rape and five counts of false imprisonment.

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Anokye also denies two charges of assault by penetration and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A jury panel of 16 was selected at the court on Monday. This will be whittled down to 12 as the trial proceeds.

Judge William Hart told the panel: "The defendant is called Andy Anokye. He is a grime artist, a musician.

"He is known professionally as Solo 45. He is a member of a grime collective called Boy Better Know."

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The trial is due to open on Friday and will last between five and six weeks.

Christopher Quinlan QC will prosecute the case, with Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC representing Anokye.

Judge Hart told the panel: "This case concerns sexual allegations including rape.

"During the course of the trial you will be played video footage of graphic sexual acts between the defendant and a number of complainants.

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"The sexual acts depicted are of course deeply personal and intimate for those involved.

"The prosecution allege that it captures the defendant physically assaulting two of the complainants and committing acts of rape.

"The defence say that the acts shown on that footage are consensual and as part of role play."

Anokye, of Millennium Promenade, Bristol, denies all the charges against him and the case continues.