A grime artist has been convicted of holding four women against their will and repeatedly raping them.
Andy Anokye, 33, who performs under the stage name Solo 45, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of 30 charges relating to a two-year period.
He was unanimously convicted of 21 rapes, five counts of false imprisonment, two counts of assault by penetration and two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The musician, who was part of the grime collective Boy Better Know, did not react as the jury of 12 returned the verdicts following 10 hours and 55 minutes of deliberations.A man who assaulted, tortured and threatened to kill four women he falsely imprisoned and violently sexually assaulted has been convicted of a total of 30 offences, including 21 counts of rape. https://t.co/Bg1jCuZLwApic.twitter.com/kJtVg2KuYa— Avon and Somerset
police (@ASPolice) March 11, 2020Judge William Hart adjourned sentencing for a date to be fixed and ordered a psychiatric report to be carried out on the defendant.
He told the jury: “It is almost four months since we first met here to try this lengthy indictment.
“You have had to listen to and indeed watch some extremely graphic evidence and make very important decisions in the lives of all those concerned.
“I am very grateful to you. It is finally over.”
Judge Hart excused the panel from jury service in the future and paid tribute to how they had listened to “quite disturbing” evidence during the trial.
The court heard the four complainants have made victim personal statements, describing the impact of Anokye’s offences on them.
During the trial, graphic video clips – filmed by Anokye on his mobile phone – were played to the jury.
In the footage, Anokye is seen interrogating the women about previous sexual partners, slapping them, insulting them and raping them.
One clip showed a woman crying and saying “I hate you,” with the musician laughing and making a thumbs-up sign to the camera.Anokye, who was signed to Island Records, was described as a “violent, controlling narcissist and a bully” by prosecutors during the case.
Jurors heard how he derived sexual pleasure from torturing the women by water-boarding, interrogating, assaulting and raping them.The musician spoke of dacryphilia – sexual arousal from tears – and enjoyed playing a game he called “catch me, rape me”.
Police launched an investigation in 2017 after a woman claimed she had been raped at Anokye’s waterfront flat in Bristol.
Following his arrest, police examined videos and images on three mobile phones, an external hard drive and a laptop found at the apartment.
They contacted further women and four came forward with complaints of abuse at his hands.
A fifth woman also gave evidence against Anokye during the trial but jurors heard he could not be charged with alleged offences against her, as they took place abroad.
Anokye grew up on the Broadwater Farm Estate in
Tottenham,
London, but had a home in Bristol.
He was remanded in custody following the jury’s verdicts.
Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rice of Avon and Somerset Police said: “I hope today’s verdicts bring some solace to the victims in this case who have suffered unimaginable horrors.
“Our focus will remain on supporting them as we have done for almost three years since this investigation began, and we will continue to do so through to sentencing and beyond.”Rape Crisis services for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence - 0808 802 9999Survivors UK offers support for men and boys - 0203 598 3898