JLS star Oritse Williams on trial accused of raping woman after concert

Former JLS star Oritse Williams arrives at Wolverhampton Crown Court where he is due to go on trial charged with raping a woman after a concert. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Former JLS star Oritse Williams is due to go on trial charged with raping a woman after a concert.

The singer pleaded not guilty to rape during a court hearing in November last year and is due to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday.

Williams, who enjoyed chart success after shooting to fame on The X Factor in 2008, was arrested in December 2016 following allegations he had attacked a woman at a hotel.

The 32-year-old, of Croydon, south London, is due to stand trial with co-defendant Jamien Nagadhana.

Nagadhana, also 32, from Hounslow, west London, denies a charge of assault by penetration in connection with the same incident.

After the allegations came to light, Williams said he would be stepping back from charity work, adding: “Press speculation is likely to be unhelpful to the charities I work with.”