The X Factor finalist Oritsé Williams has been charged with raping a 20-year-old fan.
The alleged sexual assault happened in 2016, after the 31-year-old JLS singer performed a gig in Wolverhampton.
Oritsé was initially arrested on 2 December 2016, and bailed twice.
The singer – who was on the talent show in 2008 alongside bandmates Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill – has now been charged, along with his friend Jamien Nagadhana.
On Thursday evening, West Midlands Police stated: “Police have charged two men with sexual offences following an allegation of rape at a Wolverhampton hotel in December 2016.
“Oritsé 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.”
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The incident is alleged to have taken place during the pop star’s promotion of a solo album.
Following his performance at the Gorgeous Club in Wolverhampton, the alleged victim and her female friend reportedly spent time at the Ramada Park Hotel with Oritsé and one of his friends, before leaving to catch a taxi home.
She then realised she’d left her bag at the hotel and returned to collect it.
A source explained: “One of the girls knocked on the door saying she wanted to retrieve her stuff and was let back in. It’s then she says she was raped.
“Police were called to the hotel shortly afterwards to a report of rape and Williams was arrested there.”
A police spokesperson later confirmed: “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 inquiries.”
A source told The Sun: “She and her friend are massive JLS and Oritsé fans.”
At the time, the reality star’s management issued a statement in which he denied any wrongdoing.
They told The Mirror: “Oritsé 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.”
Oritsé is yet to comment on the charge. Both men will appear in the dock on 11 October at Walsall and Aldridge Magistrates Court.
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