JLS singer Oritse Williams charged with raping fan in Wolverhampton hotel room
Update April 14 2023: Oritse Williams and his manager were both cleared of all charges.
Former JLS singer Oritsé Williams has been charged with raping a 20-year-old fan in his hotel room after a concert.
The 31-year-old singer from Croydon, London, allegedly sexually assaulted the woman after performing at a gig in Wolverhampton.
He was arrested the following day on 2 December, 2016, and bailed twice. Following his initial arrest, his management issued a statement where the pop star denied any wrongdoing.
They told The Mirror: "Ortise denies the allegations against him. The matter is in the hands of the police and it would be totally wrong for us to comment further."
Williams is yet to comment on the charge.
His friend Jamien Nagadhana, 31, of Hounslow, has also been charged with sexual assault over the same alleged attack in December.
West Midlands said in a statement: "Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.
"Oritsé Williams, age 31, from Croydon, London, has been charged with rape. Jamien Nagadhana, aged 31, from Hounslow, London, has been charged with assault by penetration."
JLS rose to fame after appearing on the reality singing contest X Factor in 2008. Despite finishing as runners-up, they went onto sell 10m records including five UK No.1 singles and four top three UK albums.
The band split up in 2013, after which Williams set up a music firm and pursued a solo career under the name OWS.
He and Nagadhana are due to appear at Walsall and Aldridge Magistrates Court on 11 October.