Brand Denies All Charges as He Tells Court No Witnesses Back His Case

Russell Brand testified for the first time on Wednesday at his trial in London, telling jurors that not a single witness with relevant evidence has agreed to speak on his behalf. The comedian and presenter, known for roles in St. Trinian's and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, is currently facing seven criminal counts. Prosecutors have completed their presentation, and defense counsel Ian Winter is now outlining the defense strategy. Brand strongly denies all accusations of criminal wrongdoing.

The trial is unfolding at Southwark Crown Court, where Justice Bennathan presides. Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. Six women allege offenses that occurred between 1999 and 2009. On Tuesday afternoon, the judge reduced the final charge from indecent assault to attempted indecent assault. The proceedings could continue for up to six weeks.

Brand addressed the sudden change in his public life following his 2010 marriage to U.S. pop star Katy Perry, describing the shift as "staggering fame." He also discussed the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary that prompted police to begin investigating him in 2023. Subsequent allegations appeared in The Sunday Times. Brand characterized that period as "devastating." When asked if anyone would touch him with a bargepole, he answered, "No," adding that his entire life has been consumed by these allegations.

Winter questioned Brand about his recollection of the complainants. The comedian stated he remembers meeting some of the women but has no memory of others. He was asked whether he normally speaks during sexual activity. Brand said he believed he would have asked if he was doing it right and if the other person was comfortable. He described consent as fundamental, essential, and necessary, noting it is often more important than sex itself.

Regarding the first allegation, Brand recalled meeting the woman at a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999. He described her as loquacious and interesting. When asked if there was truth to her claim that he raped her in a hotel room that night, he said, "No." Prosecutors suggested during cross-examination that he did not care whether she wanted sex. Brand replied that he cared very much and stated, "I know what no means."

The third complainant alleges that Brand groped her in a Soho bar in 2004, pushed her into a toilet, and forced her to perform oral sex. Brand said a friend introduced them, suggesting the woman really wanted to meet him. He denied grabbing her breasts, calling the act disgusting behavior. He stated they spoke for less than a minute before going to the bathroom to fool around. He insisted there was absolutely no question she consented to entering the cubicle and that his penis did not enter her mouth.

The final allegation involves a 2009 encounter at Brand's home in Hampstead. The woman claims he anally raped her after consensual vaginal sex. Brand described the encounter as memorable and said he was excited and enthusiastic to see the woman again. He acknowledged the consensual vaginal sex in his bedroom but denied the anal rape. He stated that she did not tell him to stop during the encounter.

Brand has now finished his direct testimony. The defense team will continue to present its arguments to the jury. The prosecution has already laid out its case against the defendant. The trial remains active in Southwark, with the jury evaluating the evidence from both sides.