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Former JLS star Oritse Williams denies rape allegation

The singer has not been charged

Olivia Blair
Monday 12 December 2016 17:33 GMT
Oritse Williams
Oritse Williams (Getty)

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Louise Thomas

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The former JLS singer Oritse Williams has denied allegations he raped a woman in a hotel room after a concert.

The 30-year-old was arrested on Friday 2 December in Wolverhampton following a concert in the West Midlands city after a 20-year-old woman claimed she was raped and sexually assaulted in a hotel room.

Another man, aged 29, was also arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

Both men have been bailed until February pending further inquiries.

A statement from representatives for Williams said: “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.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “West Midlands Police were called to a Wolverhampton hotel at 7.45am on Friday December 2 after an allegation of rape and sexual assault was made by a 20-year-old woman.

“A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and a 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. Both men have been bailed until February, pending further enquiries.”

The singer was part of the band JLS, along with Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold and JB Gill, who shot to fame after coming second on the 2008 series of The X Factor. The group split in 2013.

Representatives for Williams did not immediately respond to The Independent's request for comment.

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