Russell Brand told jurors at Southwark Crown Court that the period since allegations were made against him has been “deeply traumatic”, as his defence case opened on Wednesday, October 28. The 51-year-old former comedian said he has focused on recalling events “at the expense of my marriage, my children and my health”.
Brand is accused by six women of sexual assaults between 1999 and 2009, including forced sex in a hotel and sexual assaults in a bar, at a radio station and at Channel 4. He denies all charges.
Media blamed for downfall
Brand told the court he blames the media for his downfall after being the focus of 2023 reporting on sexual misconduct claims. He said he has been unable to find any friends or former colleagues willing to give evidence in his defence as the trial approached.
Responding to questions from prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC about alleged inconsistencies between his prepared statement to police and what he has told the jury regarding one of the complainants, Brand said: “Ms Karmy-Jones, I completely agree.”
“Since these events occurred there’s been escalating recollection. It’s been a deeply traumatic episode of my life. I’ve focused on at the expense of my marriage, my children and health. I ask your forgiveness, well not your forgiveness.”
“I recognise that this recollection includes small details that are inconsistent and I acknowledge that.”
Consent 'non-negotiable'
Giving evidence, Brand insisted he has never forced himself on a woman, telling jurors consent is “non-negotiable” and “more important than sex itself”.
He told the jurors he “dedicated” a lot of his life to “philandering”, saying: “I do recognise I have been a very determined and focused man and with regard to the latter, with women, of course which is the subject of my trial, I’ve been persuasive, seductive, begging and flirting, and dedicated a lot of my life to what seems now beyond reckless, philandering, and idiocy.”
Brand denied having a goal of sleeping with 5,000 women. His former friend, Mark Pinheiro, has told the trial that Brand boasted on a car journey to the Labour party conference in Bournemouth about his techniques for “pulling” women and allegedly revealed an ambition to sleep with 5,000 women.
Ms Karmy-Jones asked: “Is it a goal you may have had?” Brand replied: “I don’t agree, I don’t recall the conversation you are referring to.” When pressed again, he replied: “No, not a goal.”
Brand admitted he was “obsessed” with sex in his younger years but denied the extent of the impact on his life. Ms Karmy-Jones asked him: “Do you accept that you were desperate for it and sometimes couldn’t function without it?” “No,” Brand said.
Trial continues
On Tuesday, October 27, Brand was issued a not guilty verdict after a charge was changed due to “insufficient evidence”. An indecent assault charge was changed to attempted indecent assault at the halfway stage of his trial.
Brand is accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one charge of attempted indecent assault. The judge told the jury he expects them to start deliberating on their verdicts on Tuesday.
