Russell Brand has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at a Soho bar in 2004, and of raping a young fan he met after one of his Hammersmith Apollo shows in 2009. The verdicts continue to come through and this article will be updated accordingly.
Charges and Trial Details
The comedian and TV presenter, 51, faced seven criminal charges involving six women, including three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999. One further count of attempted indecent assault was amended during the trial from an initial charge of indecent assault.
Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC, had questioned during his closing speech why the star's accusers "had not fought back" during the alleged attacks, saying "not one of them resisted or screamed or even tried to leave." He also added: "It is an extremely curious feature of this case that out of the many, many women that Mr Brand had sex with during this period only three of them say they did not consent to anal, oral or vaginal sex."
Prosecution Arguments
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones argued during the trial that Brand had an "indiscriminate and voracious" desire for sexual contact, and "women were simply a means to an end." She added: "He was ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative. And, the prosecution says, he was a sexual predator."
At the start of the trial, Brand had told reporters outside court: "I feel, of course, concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved. That's my prayer."
Wife's Testimony
His wife, Laura Gallacher, stood by him during the trial and appeared as a character witness. Laura told the court that he is an "amazing husband", and an "attentive father" to their three children. She added: "I feel very seen by him." She also described Brand as "caring and kind," adding, "We have a very honest, frank and clear relationship and marriage." Gallacher defended her husband's intimate conduct, telling jurors their encounters always happened strictly at her pace. She insisted he always respected her boundaries.
