Entertainment
Russell Brand goes on trial in London denying rape and assault charges
Prosecutors allege Brand assaulted six women between 1999 and 2009; he has pleaded not guilty, and the trial is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.
The short version
- Russell Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London on rape, sexual assault and indecent assault charges involving six women.[Associated Press]
- Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator, and Brand denies all charges.[ABC News · The Hollywood Reporter · Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Brand says he feels blessed and hopes the process leads to good outcomes, and counsel told the court he denied nonconsensual sexual activity to police.[ABC News · The Hollywood Reporter · The Guardian]
- The trial is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks, and Brand remains free on bail during it.[Associated Press]
Key facts
- Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London on three rape counts, three sexual assault counts and one indecent assault count involving six women.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.[ABC News · The Hollywood Reporter · Associated Press]
- Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand in opening remarks as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator.[The Hollywood Reporter · The Guardian]
- Brand told reporters outside court that he felt blessed and hopeful the process would lead to good outcomes for everyone.[ABC News · The Hollywood Reporter]
- According to counsel in court, Brand denied nonconsensual sexual activity in police interviews and said accounts were reinvented or imagined after a documentary and press reporting.[ABC News · The Hollywood Reporter · The Guardian]
- The trial is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks, and Brand remains free on bail.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The allegations are untested in court, and no verdict or evidence outcome has been reported.[Associated Press]
- Brand's claim that accounts were reinvented or imagined after a documentary remains unverified and is attributed to his statements, not established fact.[The Hollywood Reporter · The Guardian]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Russell Brand arrives at a London court for his trial on rape and sexual assault chargesAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- “Ruthless, Sexual Predator”: Russell Brand Rape Allegations Detailed as Prosecution Opens CaseThe Hollywood Reporter metered
- Russell Brand was ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator, court toldThe Guardian - World
- Prosecution labels Russell Brand 'ruthless sexual predator' at opening of trialABC News - International · Wire: associated-press
- Prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trialAssociated Press
- Russell Brand Trial: Woman Details Alleged Rape After Asking Her to Take Photos of Him Half-NakedVariety metered
- Russell Brand told woman ‘it’s just fun’ as he raped her, court hearsThe Guardian - World
- Russell Brand Trial: Second Woman Alleges He Was a ‘Wild-Eyed Maniac’ as He Tried to Pull Her Into BathroomVariety metered