Russell Brand's former girlfriend has told a court that she "couldn't trust" him during their three-year relationship because he repeatedly cheated on her. The 51-year-old comedian and actor is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court in London over multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault spanning a decade from 1999.
Ex-partner gives character evidence
Elia Alvarez Diaz, a classically-trained ballet dancer who dated Mr Brand between 1996 and 1999, gave character evidence on Thursday. She said the relationship ended because she "could no longer trust him to be faithful, or contribute to rent, bills and other household expenses".
Despite this, Ms Diaz offered a sympathetic view of his personality, saying that "at times he was gentle, kind, warm and generous" and ensured life was "never dull". She told jurors: "He was highly persuasive and very skilled with words. When I said 'no', however, he accepted it."
Other witnesses describe his character
Mr Brand's wife, Laura Brand, sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, also told the court he had slept with other women when they first dated in 2006 and 2007. She said they rekindled their romance in 2015 and described him as "an amazingly attentive husband" and "a wonderful father" to their three children.
Another former girlfriend, Amanda Alguero Alejos, appeared on the stand on Thursday, telling jurors he was "undoubtedly promiscuous" although "never in front of me and never when I was around". She said he was "very loving, thoughtful and patient" and insisted they never had sex without consent.
Defendant's testimony and next steps
Mr Brand has denied three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. While giving evidence on Wednesday, he said consent is "non-negotiable" and "more important than sex itself".
The entertainer, accused of raping women in a hotel room, at his home and in a bar toilet, said he now believes it was "wrong" that he used his fame in the 2000s to "facilitate sexual access". He added: "I do recognise I have been a very determined and focused man. 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."
He said he does not remember some of the incidents in the charges, while others he recounts only as consensual sexual experiences. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, told jurors on Wednesday that they are likely to begin considering their verdicts next Tuesday. The trial continues.
