Matvei Rumiantsev Convicted of Assault and Perverting Justice Following Snaresbrook Trial
Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, has been convicted of assaulting a woman and perverting the course of justice following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. The incident, which occurred in January 2025, was reported to UK police by Barron Trump, 19, who stated he witnessed part of the alleged assault during a video call with the woman. Mr. Rumiantsev was acquitted of rape and intentional strangulation charges related to the January incident, as well as an additional rape and assault alleged in November 2024.
The Incident and Police Response
In January 2025, Barron Trump, son of former US President Donald Trump, contacted London police from the United States to report an alleged assault he stated he witnessed during a video call with a female friend. During his emergency call, a transcript of which was presented in court, Mr. Trump informed the operator:
"I’m calling from the US, I just got a call from a girl… she’s getting beat up."
He stated the event occurred approximately eight minutes prior and that he had just determined how to contact emergency services. He also mentioned that he had two friends contact the Met Police from the U.S. concerning the incident. Police responded to the address on January 18, 2025, and arrested Mr. Rumiantsev, a London resident.
Barron Trump's Witness Account
Mr. Trump, aged 19 at the time, later provided a witness statement via email on May 2, 2025. He described his observation as:
"very brief indeed but indeed prevalent."
He wrote that the phone was answered by "a shirtless man with darkish hair" for about one second before the view switched to the alleged victim, who he observed being hit while crying. He estimated the entire interaction he witnessed lasted "five to seven seconds."
Mr. Trump also stated that the woman, with whom he is "very close," had informed him that the individual had been "giving her difficulty for a long time." Jurors were informed that police replied to Mr. Trump's email but did not receive a response to that or subsequent correspondence. The alleged victim told the court that Mr. Trump's intervention contributed to her safety.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Matvei Rumiantsev, 22, faced charges including assault, actual bodily harm, two counts of rape, intentional strangulation, and perverting the course of justice. He denied all charges.
During the trial, Mr. Rumiantsev's defense counsel described the woman's claims as a:
"complete fabrication,"
suggesting the defendant had restrained her due to her being "angry and violent." Defense lawyer Sasha Wass argued that Mr. Trump was unaware the woman had a boyfriend and questioned the accuracy of his perception during a brief video call. Ms. Wass also suggested the woman leveraged her connection to Mr. Trump to create jealousy in her boyfriend, describing their relationship as dramatic. Mr. Rumiantsev stated during the trial that he experienced jealousy toward Mr. Trump, believing the woman was misleading him.
Judge Joel Bennathan advised jurors to approach Mr. Trump's accounts, including his police call recording and email to investigators, with caution due to the absence of cross-examination. The judge indicated that cross-examination could have explored details such as his precise view of the events, whether he directly witnessed the assault, or if his conclusions were based on screams, as well as any potential bias from his friendship with the woman.
Mr. Rumiantsev was found guilty of assault and perverting the course of justice, the latter charge stemming from sending a letter from jail requesting the woman retract her allegations. He was acquitted of rape and choking charges related to the January 2025 incident, as well as an additional rape and assault alleged in November 2024.
Sentencing for Matvei Rumiantsev is scheduled for March 27.