Pop star Ortise Williams posed for selfies with excited JLS fans outside a court after pleading not guilty to raping a woman in a hotel room following one of his concerts.
The 31-year-old singer is accused of launching a sex attack on a 20-year-old waitress after inviting her back to his hotel room on December 2, 2016.
He was arrested alongside pal Jamien Nagadhana, 31, after the woman claimed she was raped at the four star Ramada Park Hotel, in Wolverhampton.
Today (Thurs) Williams appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court wearing a brown turtle neck jumper and black suit, to deny a single charge of rape.
Nagadhana, dressed in a green jacket and black trousers, pleaded not guilty to assault by penetration.
Both men remained emotionless in the dock during the 36 minute hearing before they were granted unconditional bail to reappear at the same court for a trial in May.
Judge Nicholas Webb said: “Your trial is now listed for May 14. Your bail conditions will continue until that date.
“I have made a request that you provide a detailed defence statement. If you do not turn up on the day you will be committing an offence of imprisonment.
“If you chose not to show then the trial may well continue in your absence.”
Outside court Williams posed for photographs with supporters who clambered to get a selfie with the former JLS star.
He picked up a child for one photo as he smiled for the camera alongside a man and two women.
The assault is alleged to have taken place when the woman and a pal went back to his hotel following his performance at the Gorgeous Nightclub, in Wolverhampton.
He had been at the venue to promote his solo album Waterline.
They left but the fan returned later to get her handbag she had left in the room at which point she claims the attack took place.
At the time of his arrest, a spokesperson for the singer said: “Oritse denies the allegations against him.
“The matter is in the hands of the police and it would be totally wrong for us to comment further.”
JLS shot to fame on X Factor in 2008 after finishing runners-up to Alexandra Burke and went on to sell over ten million records.
Williams set up a music firm and sang solo under stage name OWS after the band split in 2013
Williams, of Croydon, south London, and Nagadhana, of Hounslow, west London, will go on trial on May 14.
By Nathan Pynn
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
