British actor and comedian Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault trial has entered its final stage, with the jury retiring to consider verdicts on seven charges involving six women.
The 51-year-old faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault over alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009.
Brand has denied all the charges.
At the beginning of the trial, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described him as a “sexual predator”, telling the court that his desire for sexual contact was “indiscriminate and voracious”.
The prosecution alleged that Brand disregarded women’s consent and engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct during his rise to fame.
The prosecutor also told the court that Brand informed police in 2023 that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.
During the trial, six women gave evidence about their alleged encounters with the comedian.
Brand took the stand on October 28, describing the allegations as “deeply traumatic” and saying they had a devastating impact on him.
He maintained that sexual consent was “fundamental” and denied committing rape or sexual assault.
In his closing argument, Brand’s defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, challenged the complainants’ accounts, arguing that media coverage of earlier allegations had influenced their testimonies.
He urged the jury to distinguish between Brand’s past sexual behaviour and whether the prosecution had proved that criminal offences occurred.
The jury, comprising eight men and four women, began deliberations on November 3 at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Brand, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a verdict on each of the seven charges.
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