Russell Brand Denies Charges as Trial Nears Defence Case
Russell Brand faces seven criminal charges involving six complainants at Southwark Crown Court, where the trial continues. Brand denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault spanning a ten-year period from 1999 to 2009. The trial enters its final stages as Mr Justice Bennathan dismissed jurors until Monday, with the defence case scheduled to begin on Tuesday morning.
Court Hears Testimony on 2009 Hammersmith Apollo Allegations
Jurors heard detailed evidence regarding an alleged rape following a 2009 stand-up performance at the Hammersmith Apollo. The complainant alleged Brand picked her out from a crowd for a backstage threesome before inviting her to his Hampstead townhouse a few days later. The woman’s mother stated in court, as reported by rte.ie, that her daughter recalled screaming in pain and asking Brand to stop during the second encounter. Her father said his daughter told him: They were having sex, she asked him to stop, she kept saying she had been assaulted.
Witnesses testified that the complainant was a “bright, bubbly and confident girl” prior to the incident, but subsequently battled alcoholism, mental health difficulties, and self-blame. The trial continues.
Witnesses Allege Rape in Soho Bar and Workplace Misconduct
Testimony from other witnesses detailed separate allegations. A second woman told police she “just closed my eyes and tried not to be there” during an alleged rape in a Soho bar toilet in 2004 following a birthday party. He was holding me quite strongly on the arm and pulled me in that direction,
she said. Part of me was saying just get it over with so you can get out of here.
I just closed my eyes and tried not to be there.
She criticised the workplace “banter” from the 2000s, telling the court: Women were rated by colleagues on what we were wearing, how we looked.
Describing the era, another witness told the court: Russell Brand was an A-lister star, it was Big Brother, people were watching it, we all watched it.
Additionally, a former Channel 4 worker testified she was forced to massage Brand during a 2009 project recording while members of his entourage shrugged and laughed. It became “clear that he was quite unhappy about things” and the “atmosphere changed” in the studio, she told the jury. Brand maintains that all sexual encounters were consensual and have been reimagined by his accusers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Russell Brand Trial
What specific charges does Russell Brand face in court?
Brand faces a total of seven criminal charges brought by six female complainants, consisting of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault covering the years 1999 to 2009.
When will the defense present its arguments?
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Mr Justice Bennathan instructed jurors to return on Monday, and rte.ie confirmed that Brand’s defence case is due to start on Tuesday morning.
How long is the trial expected to last?
The legal proceedings taking place at Southwark Crown Court are expected to last for six weeks.
More on Russell Brand
Worth a look