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Former JLS star Oritse Williams charged with rape over Wolverhampton hotel incident

The singer is alleged to have assaulted a fan in a hotel room in 2016.

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Oritse Williams

Former JLS star Oritse Williams has been charged with rape over an incident at a hotel in Wolverhampton in 2016.

The 31-year-old singer, who enjoyed chart success after shooting to fame on The X Factor in 2008, was arrested in December 2016 following allegations that he raped a fan in a hotel room after a gig.

Williams had appeared at Gorgeous nightclub in School Street, Wolverhampton city centre.

West Midlands Police said Williams and another man have been charged and will appear in court next month.

Oritse Williams
Oritse Williams performing on stage during JLS’s Goodbye tour (Joe Giddens/PA)

A spokesman said: “Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.

“Oritse Williams, aged 31, from Croydon, London, has been charged with rape.

“Jamien Nagadhana, aged 31, from Hounslow, London, has been charged with assault by penetration.”

A statement released at the time of his arrest, by 10 Worlds Music UK, which looked after Williams, said the singer denied the accusations.

It read: “All we wish to say at this time is that Oritse denies the allegations against him.

“The matter is in the hands of the police and it would be totally wrong for us to comment any further.”

Shortly afterwards, the singer said he would be stepping back from his charity work, adding: “Unfortunately, the press speculation is likely to be unhelpful to the charities I work with and the decision I have taken is with their best interests in mind.”

Williams and Nagadhana are due to appear at Walsall and Aldridge Magistrates’ Court on October 11.

Williams' representatives have been contacted for for comment.

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