Russell Brand's wife was hurried out of the courtroom after the judge shouted "no, no, no" during his trial on seven counts of rape, assault and attempted assault. The interruption came as defence counsel Ian Winter KC questioned Laura Gallacher about her view on the truth of the allegations, with the prosecution deeming the questioning unacceptable.
Prosecution's opening claims
Prosecutors opened the trial by describing Brand as a "ruthless, calculated and manipulative" sexual predator with a childlike expectation that his desires be met. They alleged his behaviour led him to ignore women's protests across hotel rooms, workplaces, his home and a bar toilet cubicle.
Ex-girlfriend Elia Alvarez Diaz testified that during their three-year relationship Brand cheated repeatedly, saying she could no longer trust him to stay faithful or contribute toward rent and living expenses. She noted, however, that he accepted her refusal whenever she explicitly told him "no."
Brand's testimony and character witnesses
Taking the witness stand, Brand confessed to "reckless philandering and idiocy," admitting it was wrong that he used his 2000s fame to facilitate sexual access to women. While maintaining that consent is "more important than sex itself," he conceded he could not recall certain charged incidents.
Gallacher told the court that Brand had slept with other women when they initially dated in 2006 and 2007. She stood by him as a character witness, detailing their 2015 rekindled romance and describing him as an attentive husband and wonderful father to their three children.
Another former partner, Amanda Alguero Alejos, testified that Brand was "undoubtedly promiscuous" during their relationship. Jurors heard how six separate women who never met independently came forward to accuse him of offences spanning a decade, culminating in seven charges including rape and sexual assault.
Courtroom disruptions and further testimony
Proceedings faced further disorder the following day when a member of the public halted the hearing, forcing the judge to order another pause as gallery disruptions required court security to intervene.
Gallacher admitted under oath that the couple originally split up in 2007 because he was unable to remain faithful. Despite her abrupt exit, she defended Brand's intimate conduct, telling jurors their encounters always happened strictly at her pace and that he always respected boundaries.
The trial also heard revelations regarding Brand's sudden embrace of Christianity, including his 2024 baptism after misconduct allegations emerged. Brand mouthed words from the dock during emotional testimony about his faith and newly published work.
