Russell Brand has allegedly admitted under oath in America that he ‘must have’ exposed himself to women without their consent. The 51-year-old TV presenter was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on November 5.
Documents were filed in New York last week, as reported by the Daily Mail, in connection with a civil cause brought by an unnamed woman who claims Brand sexually assaulted her on the set of the 2011 film Arthur. The woman, an extra identified in the documents as Jane Doe, is suing Brand and Warner Bros studios.
Allegations on the set of Arthur
Jane Doe claims Brand ‘appeared intoxicated’ on the day he ‘exposed his penis’ to her on set ‘in full view of the cast and crew.’ She alleged that he later assaulted her in a bathroom. The woman is seeking an undisclosed sum in damages from Brand over allegations including sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, and emotional distress, claiming psychological injuries and financial losses.
The documents state that Brand was asked if he had ever exposed his genitals to another person without their explicit or verbal consent. He allegedly responded: ‘Well, the truth is, I feel like I must have done, even though I don’t really remember it, and I find the idea embarrassing in quite a number of ways.’ He added: ‘I couldn’t concretely and absolutely rule that out.’
Conflicting statements to UK police and court
In a prepared statement he gave police in the UK in 2023, which jurors heard during the trial, he said: ‘I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.’ Giving evidence on October 28, Brand told the court: ‘Consent is fundamental, essential, necessary and indeed in many ways more important than sex itself.’
Brand faces another civil lawsuit in London from a different woman, claiming around £100,000 in damages. Following last week’s verdict, it was revealed that Brand was being investigated over two more rape allegations.
Police investigate further allegations
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Friday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley added that he wouldn’t be surprised if many more women came forward. The Guardian now reports that police fear the number of people Brand allegedly attacked could number in the ‘double digits’, with 10 being seen as the minimum.
Speaking on LBC yesterday, Rowley refused to comment on the ‘double digits’ reports. ‘I’m not going to guess on this, but we’ve seen in the past with high-profile individuals who are brought to justice that it does often bring out a flood of other cases,’ Rowley told breakfast host Nick Ferrari. ‘Let’s see where this one goes.’
Brand is currently incarcerated in Wandsworth Prison ahead of sentencing on Monday.
