Two Women Speak Out Against Influencer Andrew Tate and Brother Tristan, Alleging Rape and Strangulation

Two British women have come forward to share their harrowing experiences of alleged rape and strangulation at the hands of controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate. In a shocking twist, another woman has accused Mr. Tate’s younger brother, Tristan, also an influencer with a substantial following, of rape. The Tate brothers, aged 37 and 36, are currently facing charges in Romania for human trafficking and forming an organized group to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate is additionally charged with rape. If convicted, the brothers could face over 10 years in prison. Both vehemently deny the allegations against them.

Andrew Tate is currently under house arrest in Romania, where prosecutors are considering new allegations, including having sex with a minor and trafficking underage individuals. Meanwhile, two British women unrelated to the Romanian case have provided detailed accounts to the BBC, accusing Andrew Tate of rape and sexual violence dating back at least a decade to his time in Luton.

One woman, identified as Anna, disclosed that she went on several dates with Andrew Tate in 2013 before he allegedly raped her. Anna described a terrifying encounter where Mr. Tate suddenly grabbed her by the throat, strangled her, and proceeded to assault her. Disturbing text messages and voice notes from Mr. Tate, referencing rape and sexual violence, were also shared with Anna. When confronted about these messages, Mr. Tate declined to comment. Anna reported the incident to Bedfordshire Police in 2014, along with two other women who made similar allegations. However, the Crown Prosecution Service determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.

Another woman, Sienna, recounted a similar story, stating that she had a consensual encounter with Andrew Tate in Luton a decade ago. However, during this encounter, Mr. Tate allegedly strangled her, causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness, Sienna claims that he continued to engage in non-consensual sex. Sienna’s friend corroborated her account, confirming that she had shared details of the incident and displayed a visible eye injury. Sienna did not report the incident to the police but expressed regret for not doing so.

The BBC has learned of a total of five UK women who allege that Andrew Tate strangled them during sexual encounters. When interviewed last year, Mr. Tate denied ever engaging in non-consensual sex or strangulation.

Andrew Tate rose to online fame in the latter half of the previous decade, gaining millions of followers with his misogynistic videos on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. He espoused views that advocated for the domination of women, often making derogatory statements about them. Additionally, Mr. Tate showcased a lavish lifestyle he claimed to lead in Romania.

The Tate brothers relocated to Romania around 2016, where they operated a webcamming business in Bucharest. Romania boasts one of the largest webcam industries globally, employing over half a million individuals. The brothers’ move reportedly resulted in significant growth for their business. Andrew Tate boasted of earning £400,000 per month from webcamming and claimed to have had 75 women working for him at the peak of his enterprise. However, he later dismissed these claims as exaggerations and lies.

The adult entertainment business forms a central part of the criminal case against the Tate brothers in Romania. Prosecutors allege that the brothers trafficked women into the country, recruiting them, arranging transportation, and providing accommodation for the purpose of exploitation. Two women named in the case were brought from the UK. Another British woman, unrelated to the legal proceedings, spoke to Panorama about her experience working for the Tates. Going by the pseudonym Daisy, she revealed that Tristan Tate encouraged her to join their webcam business in Bucharest. Daisy described a controlling environment where the women lived and worked under strict surveillance. A Romanian webcam model, referred to as Raluca, echoed Daisy’s description, emphasizing the role of control and manipulation in the brothers’ business model. The Romanian prosecutors have statements from three women who felt “controlled” by the Tates, with some claiming they were not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied.

Tristan Tate has not commented on the allegations against him. The legal troubles for the Tate brothers have intensified this year. In addition to the existing charges in Romania and the ongoing investigation, Bedfordshire Police in the UK have initiated extradition proceedings against both brothers for alleged rape and human trafficking between 2012 and 2015. These charges are unrelated to the women who spoke to the BBC. Furthermore, a magistrate is expected to rule on a civil case brought by Devon and Cornwall Police, which seeks to determine if the Tates owe millions in unpaid taxes on their online businesses.

Sienna and Anna are currently suing Andrew Tate, with their case scheduled to be heard in the High Court in London. They, along with two other women, accuse him of rape and sexual assault. Mr. Tate intends to contest these claims. When asked about the latest allegations, he declined to comment, reiterating his anticipation for the truth to emerge and his belief that he has done nothing wrong.