Russell Brand has admitted to having “exploitative” consensual sex with a 16-year-old girl when he was 30, describing himself as a “selfish” and an “exploiter of women”. The comedian and actor, now 50, is due to stand trial in October over allegations of rape and sexual assault, which he denies.
Brand made the comments on an episode of the YouTube show hosted by US journalist Megyn Kelly. He said: “I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30. When I was 30, I was a very different person. I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old.” He added that consensual sex involving a strong power differential – such as that between a famous man and women he could attract – “involves exploitation”.
The age of consent in the UK is 16, except when the adult holds a position of trust over the minor, such as a teacher or doctor, in which case it is 18. Brand acknowledged that his past sexual conduct was selfish and that he “did not apply enough consideration” to how it affected others.
Brand faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault, relating to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009. His trial at Southwark Crown Court is scheduled to begin on 12 October, where he will have the opportunity to give evidence.
He is currently on bail and resides in the US, though he has a home in Buckinghamshire. The allegations include an incident in which he is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room during a Labour party conference in Bournemouth, and other assaults against television and radio workers.
