Barber Omar Bawo Denies Rape Charges at Oxford Crown Court
Omar Bawo, 38, from Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol, is standing trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of two counts of rape. The shocking allegations centre on an incident at a Barton barbershop on August 28, 2021. Bawo, who worked as a barber in Oxford, denies all charges.
Bawo Claims Victim Was His Girlfriend
During the trial, which opened on February 9, 2026, Bawo told the jury the complainant was his girlfriend. “We kissed and had sex,” he said. He added that she regularly visited him at the barbershop. The ex-barber insisted some of his friends knew about their relationship, describing the encounter as fully consensual.
Denied Rape, Cites Immigration Fears Amid Trial
Bawo said he was “confused and scared” but strongly denied raping anyone. He revealed a secret that may explain his fear: he had been working illegally in the UK for 20 years without a work permit. The barber claimed this made him anxious about his immigration status throughout the ordeal.
