Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JLS star, 31 in the dock accused of raping fan Williams ‘struck after solo gig’
FBOYRMER JLS singer Oritse Williams has appeared in court accused of raping a young fan in a hotel room.
The star, 31, allegedly carried out the attack after a solo concert.
Williams made a brief appearance yesterday after his lawyers failed in a legal bid to prevent him being asked to give his address in open court.
He appeared alongside Jamien Nagadhana, also 31, who is accused of serious sexual assault.
The pair did not enter pleas and will appear at Wolverhampton crown court next month.
They were granted unconditional bail. After the hearing Williams, dressed in a grey suit and jumper, was allowed to leave via a side entrance at Walsall magistrates court, West Mids. Nagadhana, of Hounslow, West London, left wearing a hat, sunglasses and scarf covering his face.
Williams was arrested in December 2016 after the woman told police of the alleged attack in Wolverhampton following Williams’ gig in the city. He was charged last month.
The star, of Croydon, South London, shot to fame on The X Factor in 2008 alongside JLS bandmates Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and JB Gill.
Despite finishing runners-up to Alexandra Burke on the show, the group went on to sell 10 million records including five No1 singles and four top three albums.
After the band split up in 2013, Williams set up a music firm and performed solo under the stage name OWS.