Russell Brand's wife is expected to give evidence at his trial today, a day after the comedian told the court he has focused on recalling events "at the expense of my marriage".
Laura Gallacher has been present in court for most of the proceedings. Brand, 51, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he 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.
Brand's evidence on Wednesday
Speaking in the witness box on Wednesday in response to questions from prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC about alleged inconsistencies between his prepared statement to police and his testimony to the jury, Brand said: "Ms Karmy-Jones, I completely agree."
He added: "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."
Brand entered the witness box just after 10am on Wednesday and took the oath in a clear and deliberate voice. He declined an offer from the judge to sit and stood with his hands behind his back while giving evidence, projecting loudly as he answered early questions with a simple "yes" or "no".
No defence witnesses
The former actor told jurors he could not persuade anyone close to him to give evidence in his defence after being publicly accused of offences against women three years ago. Asked by his barrister Ian Winter KC whether he had been able to persuade a single person with relevant evidence to testify on his behalf, Brand replied: "I have not."
When Mr Winter asked whether friends would "touch you with a barge pole", Brand replied: "No." He had previously told the trial that the claims had "consumed" his whole life.
Mr Winter also asked Brand about the effect of the reporting by the Sunday Times, The Times, and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary aired in September 2023. Brand replied: "It was devastating."
Brand denied each of the six charges when asked by his barrister whether he had committed the alleged offences. His wife is now set to give evidence the day after her husband concluded his testimony.
