R. Kelly trial continues as details of alleged Aaliyah abuse emerge

WARNING: This article includes accounts and imagery of sexual and domestic violence and may be distressing for some readers. Resources for support are listed at the end of this article

Almost four weeks since R. Kelly’s trial began in New York, more information has been given by witnesses containing allegations against the 54-year-old singer.

Accounts of sexual abuse, kidnapping, sex trafficking, bribery and forced labour have all been put forward to the judge in Brooklyn, New York, over the past month.

As the case continues, more details of alleged abuse have surfaced from both witnesses and victims, one of which from the former backup dancer of late singer Aaliyah.

The dancer came forward under the name Angela in court this week, claiming that she witnessed R. Kelly abuse Aaliyah while the singer was just “13 or 14.” The witness account reportedly happened in 1993 just a year before R. Kelly illegally married the juvenile singer.

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The R&B singer married Aaliyah in 1993 when she was just 15. Prosecutors believe that he did this shortly after the singer fell pregnant with his child to stop her from testifying against him in court.

*Angela told the court that she went to the R.Kelly's tour bus to find him, but as she opened the door, she saw the pair “in a sexual situation” and “closed the door abruptly”.

The new accusation came just over two weeks into the trial following six other victims, who each alleged that they had been involved in underage sex with R. Kelly. The singer is currently pleading not guilty to all accounts.

At the end of August, the first male victim came forward to speak about his relationship with the 54-year-old singer. Testifying under the name Louis, the victim was just 17 when he first interacted with R. Kelly.

He told the court that Kelly hd performed a sex act on him as a teenager after asking what he “was willing to do for music”, despite telling the singer that he “wasn’t into it”.

The victim alleged that Kelly "crawled down on his knees and proceeded to give me oral sex”, and asked, “to keep [it] between him and me”. He stated that he allowed the singer to continue because he “really wanted to make it” in the industry.

Read this next: Three R. Kelly associates arrested for attempted witness intimidation

The latest accusations came earlier this week, claiming that R. Kelly also threatened his victims before abusing them. Documents were submitted to the court claiming that there are video recordings of the singer both threatening and abusing victims, which the prosecution has now asked to view.

"If you lie to me, I'm going to fuck you up,” Kelly is claimed to say in one recording. In another, he allegedly tells a victim: “You better not ever… take from me again or I will be in Florida and something will happen to you. You understand what I'm telling you?".

The trial continues in Brooklyn and could see R. Kelly face decades in prison.

The UK's 24-hour free-to-call National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted by dialling 0808 2000 247.

The US' 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline can be contacted by dialling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233).

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter