A frantic phone call from a friend in distress brought Barron Trump into a London police investigation, a trial has revealed. The nineteen-year-old reportedly witnessed a violent attack unfolding on a video call, prompting him to immediately contact authorities.
The incident occurred on January 18th of last year, as a woman was allegedly being attacked by Matvei Rumiantsev, a 22-year-old Russian citizen. According to testimony, Barron Trump relayed a desperate message to a City of London Police operator: “I just got a call from a girl… she’s getting beat up.”
Prosecutors allege Rumiantsev’s motive stemmed from jealousy over the woman’s friendship with Trump, suggesting his “public profile” fueled resentment. The accused denies all charges, including assault, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, perverting the course of justice, and two counts of rape.
However, the judge presiding over the case, Mr Justice Bennathan KC, cautioned jurors to approach Barron Trump’s account with careful consideration. Because he has not testified under oath, his perspective could be “biased” due to his close relationship with the complainant.
The judge emphasized the inherent limitations of “hearsay evidence,” explaining that without cross-examination, it’s impossible to fully assess the accuracy or potential distortions of the account. Jurors were instructed not to rely heavily on Trump’s statement, acknowledging the possibility of mistaken perception or skewed judgment.
During the trial, details emerged of a night of drinking between Rumiantsev and the woman, leading into the early hours of January 18th. Rumiantsev claims any sexual encounters were consensual, while the prosecution paints a picture of a brutal assault, including physical violence and strangulation.
The prosecution alleges that during the alleged attack, Rumiantsev answered the woman’s phone during a FaceTime call with Trump, deliberately displaying her distress – crying and screaming on the floor – to him. This act, prosecutors argue, demonstrates a calculated attempt to inflict emotional harm.
Rumiantsev, when questioned about his feelings towards men his companion spoke with, admitted to unhappiness, claiming she was “leading him (Barron Trump) on.” He insisted the trial’s focus should remain on whether he physically attacked the woman, rather than portraying him as a jealous aggressor.
Despite his protestations, Rumiantsev conceded to feeling “jealous to some extent,” acknowledging the unfairness of the woman’s actions towards Trump. The trial continues as jurors weigh the evidence and consider the complexities of the case.
