Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday for day eight of his rape and sexual assault trial, accompanied by his wife Laura Gallacher. The 51-year-old wore a brown checked overcoat, an open white shirt under a grey waistcoat, and a black and white necktie. He made no comment to the large press gathering on the steps of the court.
Witnesses Allegedly Did Nothing
The court previously heard that Brand operated under a “culture of fear,” with two alleged attacks witnessed by others who did nothing. Jurors have heard evidence from three women who claimed they were sexually assaulted or raped by Brand between 2004 and 2009. He denies all charges.
One woman, who was working for Choice FM in London between 2004 and 2005, described the alleged attack. From behind a screen at Southwark Crown Court, she said: “I literally opened the door and I’m standing in the space, very cramped, and he’s just leapt on me.”
The woman, who described Brand as a stranger, alleged he put his hands over her body. She said: “It was very rough. I would say that his whole body was pressed against me, the kisses were hard and sloppy, going down my neck. The reason I used the word frenzied is because it was just, it was violent.”
The woman said three men and a woman with Brand witnessed the alleged assault and did nothing. She said one of the men laughed after she pushed Brand off and told him to “f*** off.” She added: “I wonder just how far it would have gone. If I was just alone with him, I wonder what would have happened. There were people there. They saw it.”
Further Allegations Heard
The court also heard from a Channel 4 worker who said she was allegedly forced to massage Brand after he thrust his head into her lap. The woman said two members of his entourage shrugged and laughed when he carried out the alleged sexual assault in 2009. She said: “I was so repulsed... and my automatic reaction was, ‘Urgh, you’re so bony.’” The next day she reported the incident to her manager.
Jurors also heard evidence from a third woman who said she had been a fan of the comedian and actor when she met him at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in February 2009. In a recorded police interview played in court, she wept as she told how he allegedly raped her. She said: “The way I’d describe that event to people after was that it was traumatic and he hurt me and harmed me. And when I asked him to stop, he didn’t.”
The woman, who was then 21, later suffered from alcoholism and had blamed herself for going to his home, the court heard. She said: “It was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever gone through.” She told her parents and was referred for therapy by a sexual health clinic. Earlier she said she had been driven to his Hampstead home by his chauffeur for what she thought would be consensual sex. Images of his townhouse were shown to the jury.
Trial Continues
Brand has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, relating to six women between 1999 and 2009. The trial continues.
