Solo 45 trial: Grime artist filmed himself raping four women after imprisoning them, court hears

Grime artist Solo 45 allegedly filmed himself raping four young women after imprisoning them, a jury has been told.

Andy Anokye, 32, who performs under the stage name, denies 31 charges against him relating to four complainants over two years.

They include 22 counts of rape and five of false imprisonment.

Mr Anokye, from Bristol, also denies two charges of assault by penetration and two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge William Hart told jurors at Bristol Crown Court Mr Anokye was a member of grime collective Boy Better Know.

Prosecuting, Christopher Quinlan QC said: “The prosecution say that he imprisoned, assaulted, sexually violated and raped four women.

“You will hear from each of them during the course of this trial.

“He filmed, using his mobile phone, a great deal of what he did.

“He physically assaulted and falsely imprisoned them, held them against their will and he raped each of them repeatedly.

“He is a sadist who derives satisfaction and sexual pleasure from inflicting pain and suffering on his victims.”

Mr Quinlan, who described the defendant as a “violent and controlling narcissist and a bully”, said one of the women reported the abuse to friends, and then to police.

Mr Anokye was arrested and his mobile phone and laptop were seized by officers, who contacted three other women.

Mr Quinlan said Mr Anokye would claim any sexual activity between him and the women was consensual.

The prosecutor said the defendant became known to each of the complainants through their “knowledge and taste” for grime music.

His music, the lifestyle and perceived glamour associated with it may have attracted them to him, the court heard.

The jury of five men and seven women have been told they will view some of the recordings made by Mr Anokye.

Mr Quinlan alleged that Mr Anokye was “turned on” by his power over his victims and their fear of him.

He said the musician waterboarded one woman, leaving her “petrified” and claimed he had “hacked” her phone.

Mr Anokye allegedly told the woman to put her hand in a sink full of water, then brought over a toaster that he plugged into a socket.

“The effect, if carried out, was to electrocute her,” Mr Quinlan said.

“She was pulling away and crying. His reaction? It turned him on.”

Police examining Mr Anokye’s devices after his arrest discovered searches for “dacryphilia” – sexual arousal from another’s fear.

On one occasion, it is alleged he drove a woman to a secluded area and ordered her to remove anything that could identify her.

Mr Anokye is said to have told the woman that she would be shot, with the incident ending when she had a panic attack.

“He poured bleach in her mouth, he threatened to brand her with a hot iron,” Mr Quinlan said.

“He made her call him by the name of another grime performer, Skepta.”

Mr Anokye denies all of the charges against him and the trial continues.

Additional reporting by Press Association

If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can find help via the NHS. Rape Crisis offers specialist support for women and girls; and the The Survivors’ Trust supports people of any gender