World News
Russell Brand denies rape and sexual assault charges while testifying in London
Brand told Southwark Crown Court he pleaded not guilty; six complainants' allegations cover 1999 to 2009.
The short version
- Russell Brand testified in his own defense at Southwark Crown Court in London, denying the charges against him.[CBS News · Associated Press]
- Six female complainants accuse him of offenses spanning 1999 to 2009, and Brand says he pleaded not guilty in every case.[CBS News · Associated Press]
- Brand says consent is fundamental, and he acknowledged under cross-examination that using his fame to facilitate sexual access was wrong.[The Guardian · CBS News]
- Brand says no one with relevant information agreed to testify for him, and the provided reporting includes no verdict.[Variety]
Key facts
- Russell Brand took the stand at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday to testify in his own defense.[CBS News · Associated Press]
- Brand is accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of attempted indecent assault, and he denied them.[CBS News]
- Six female complainants make allegations spanning a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009.[CBS News]
- Brand said under cross-examination that consent is fundamental and more important than sex itself.[CBS News]
- Brand said that no one with relevant information agreed to testify on his behalf.[Variety]
- Brand acknowledged under cross-examination that he allowed his growing fame to facilitate sexual access, which he agreed was wrong.[The Guardian]
- Brand said he pleaded not guilty in every single case.[Associated Press]
- Brand said he was barred from staying with his baby son at Great Ormond Street Hospital during open heart surgery, which he attributed to published material and a 2023 TV documentary.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The allegations are disputed, Brand denies them, and the provided reporting does not include a verdict or the trial outcome.[Variety · The Guardian · CBS News · Associated Press]
- Brand's account that the hospital barred him because of published material is his own claim, and the provided articles include no hospital response.[Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Russell Brand takes the stand at his rape and sexual assault trialCBS News - World
- Russell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at his rape and sex assault trialAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- Russell Brand Takes the Stand in Rape Trial and Reveals No One Agreed to Testify on His Behalf: ‘My Entire Life Has Been Consumed by These Allegations’Variety metered
- Russell Brand tells trial it was wrong to use fame to ‘facilitate’ sex with womenThe Guardian - World