Russell Brand denies all 7 counts in London court
The actor claims his life has been consumed by the allegations since 2023 accusations surfaced in media reports.
By Jessica Abebe ·
Actor Russell Brand has denied seven criminal counts while testifying at his trial in London.
Brand, 51, stood in the witness box at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. He answered no to each charge. These included three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. He entered the courtroom with his wife, Laura Gallacher. He told reporters that the day was for truth and justice.
During his testimony, Brand described the personal toll of the allegations. He stated that friends and colleagues abandoned him. He claimed that no one with relevant evidence was willing to testify on his behalf. Brand said his entire life has been consumed by the events and accusations. He specifically noted that Great Ormond Street Hospital forbade him from staying with his baby son. The son was receiving open-heart surgery at the time. Brand said the hospital cited material published in a newspaper and TV documentary in 2023 as the reason for the ban.
The prosecution had previously outlined its case over two weeks. The jury heard from six women who accused Brand of misconduct between 1999 and 2009. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the jury that Brand was ruthless, calculating, and manipulative. The prosecution described him as a sexual predator. Defense attorney Ian Winter questioned Brand about the specific incidents. The accusers identified locations including a hotel room, MTV offices, and a London bar toilet. Brand denied forcing any woman to act against her will. He emphasized that consent is fundamental and more important than sex itself.
Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s. He hosted television programs and a BBC radio show. He appeared in Hollywood films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry. In recent years, he moved to Florida. He built a large online following through videos that mix wellness topics, conspiracy theories, and religious discussions.
