International Intervention: Barron Trump's FaceTime Call Sparks London Conviction
An extraordinary transatlantic intervention has led to a significant conviction in a London courtroom, with the crucial witness being none other than Barron Trump, the son of the US President. The case, which unfolded at Snaresbrook Crown Court, involved a violent domestic assault witnessed in real-time from over 3,500 miles away.
The Disturbing FaceTime Revelation
On January 18 last year, just two days before his father's second presidential inauguration, 19-year-old Barron Trump was on a FaceTime call with a female friend in London when he witnessed a horrifying scene. The court heard that Matvei Rumiantsev, the 22-year-old son of a wealthy Russian coffee shop magnate, answered the victim's phone and proceeded to viciously attack her.
Prosecutors described how Rumiantsev showed Barron the victim's face before grabbing her hair, pushing her to the floor, and shouting "you are not worth anything." The assault included kicking her in the stomach while she lay on the floor next to a refrigerator, with Rumiantsev calling her derogatory names throughout the incident.
Emergency Response Across Continents
Horrified by what he had witnessed, Barron Trump immediately sought to contact emergency services. In a transcript of his call to City of London Police, he urgently stated: "Oh I'm calling from the US, uh I just got a call from a girl, you know, she's getting beat up." The operator initially requested standard information, leading to a tense exchange where Barron was told to "stop being rude" and answer questions clearly if he wanted to help.
Despite the challenging communication, Barron provided the victim's address and emphasized the emergency nature of the situation. He later described the incident to investigating police in May via email, writing: "What I saw was very brief indeed but indeed prevalent" and explaining how the "whole interaction had lasted 5 to 7 seconds."
Trial Proceedings and Verdict
Matvei Rumiantsev faced multiple serious charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, perverting the course of justice, rape, and intentional strangulation. The court heard that jealousy played a significant role in the attack, with prosecutor Serena Gates suggesting Rumiantsev was particularly jealous of the victim's friendship with Barron Trump, perhaps because of his "public profile."
During the trial, jurors were cautioned to consider Barron Trump's account carefully, assessing whether it might be biased or mistaken. Rumiantsev admitted to some jealousy during his testimony, stating: "What I was really unhappy about was that she was frankly leading him (Barron Trump) on" and acknowledging "I was jealous to some extent."
The jury ultimately convicted Rumiantsev of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice. The latter charge related to a letter he wrote from prison asking the victim to withdraw her allegations. He was found not guilty of one count of rape and intentional strangulation relating to the January incident, and cleared of another count of rape and assault from November 2024.
Background of the Convicted
Matvei Rumiantsev comes from considerable wealth and privilege. His father, Sergey Rumyantsev, founded One Price Coffee, a prominent Russian business that previously operated as One Bucks Coffee until legal challenges from Starbucks forced a name change. The family has strong military connections, with Matvei's grandfather being a senior naval officer and his father attending the prestigious Tver Suvorov Military School.
Rumiantsev received an elite British education, attending Abbey College Cambridge where boarding fees reach £80,000 per year. The institution serves as an exclusive academy for wealthy foreign students seeking entry to top UK universities. He lived in London's Canary Wharf area prior to his arrest.
Victim Profile and Case Details
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is believed to be British with Belarussian descent, in her twenties, and the daughter of an influencer. The court heard that she and Rumiantsev had been drinking together on the evening of January 17 into the early hours of the next day when the assault occurred.
Prosecution evidence revealed that Rumiantsev had become aware of the woman's friendship with Barron Trump in October 2024, several months before the violent incident. The relationship between this awareness and the subsequent attack formed a significant part of the prosecution's case regarding motive.
Matvei Rumiantsev will return to Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing on March 27, where a judge will determine his punishment for the convictions of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice. The case highlights how modern technology can bridge continents in domestic violence situations while raising complex questions about witness reliability and international legal cooperation.
