Wiley Wanted by Met Police After Failing to Appear in Court on Assault and Burglary Charges

Popular grime artist Wiley, the "Godfather of Grime", is wanted by the Metropolitan Police after failing to appear in court on assault and burglary charges.The Metropolitan Police have issued a new appeal to find Wiley, whose real name is Richard Cowie. The appeal said that WIley is "wanted for failing to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 11/11/21 for Burglary and Assault by Beating". The appeal also stated that he "frequents Tower Hamlets & Newham" and that his last known location to the police was in Tower Hamlets.

A warrant was issued by police in September last year after he failed to turn up in court to face allegations of assault and burglary at the home of a former kickboxer.Wiley faces accusations of breaking and entering into a flat in Forest Gate, east London, in August last year. He allegedly began smashing plates and then assaulted former kick-boxer Ali Jacko.

Jacko had been spending time with his friends at home. One of his friends had called the police after Wiley started to allegedly assault Jacko. The 43-year-old artist had been using Jacko's recording studio before the COVID-19 pandemic.Wiley represented himself at an earlier hearing and was granted an adjournment under conditional bail for two weeks so he could find legal aid but has not shown up to court since.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "A court warrant has been issued for the arrest of Richard Cowie, 43, of Tower Hamlets, who failed to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 11 November 2021. Cowie had been due to appear having been bailed at an earlier hearing."The spokesperson continued: "He is charged with one count of assault by beating and a further count of burglary with intent to cause damage. The charges relate to an incident in Romford Road, Forest Gate on Saturday 28 August."Wiley was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2018.