All charges of sexual assault against singer-songwriter Rex Orange County, born Alexander O’Connor, have been dropped. In a statement posted to his social media channels, the 24-year-old from Hampshire said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence and decided that there is no merit in this case going to trial, not guilty verdicts were entered to all the charges.” In his statement, O’Connor noted that he “always denied these allegations”, saying: “I have never assaulted anyone and I do not condone violence or abusive behaviour of any kind.” He said that “CCTV footage obtained by the police contradicted” his accuser’s account of events, and that his accuser’s partner gave a statement to police that “did not support” the allegations. “It’s been a difficult time for everyone involved and I’d like to thank the people who have helped me through it,” he wrote, “as well as my family and loved ones for their continued support.” O’Connor was initially charged with six counts of sexually assaulting a woman, stemming from alleged incidents at the beginning of June. He appeared at Southwark crown court in early October and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case had been set to go to trial on 3 January 2023. Earlier this year, O’Connor cancelled a series of tour dates in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, citing “unforeseen personal circumstances” that meant he was not “able to continue with touring as planned.” O’Connor rose to fame after self-releasing music on Bandcamp and Soundcloud. His early recordings caught the attention of American rapper Tyler, the Creator, who flew him to Los Angeles to work on his breakout fourth album Flower Boy. O’Connor was the runner-up in BBC’s Sound of 2018 poll, and has collaborated with Randy Newman, Chance the Rapper and Daniel Caesar.