Warning - this report contains graphic content
A woman who alleges Russell Brand raped her in a hotel has described feeling "dirty" and fearing she might become pregnant following the alleged incident. The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces seven charges: three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. He denies all allegations.
The charges relate to allegations made by six female complainants spanning a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. According to prosecutors, the alleged incidents took place in a hotel room, workplaces, a bar toilet cubicle and Brand's home, and the six women did not know one another.
During Thursday's proceedings, video evidence was presented to the jury showing one complainant telling police:
"He raped me basically and I know that happened."
What did the 1999 accuser tell police?
The woman testified that she had met Brand in 1999, before he achieved fame. She attended the Labour Party conference and went to a fringe event where she encountered him. She said she initially believed Brand was gay and did not think he was attempting to pursue her romantically.
In her 2023 police interview, she recounted that both had returned to a hotel room. When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Brand wearing only briefs and moving around in an exaggerated manner. She said he told her:
"Don't worry, that's how I am."
The complainant described her shock at this behaviour and recalled Brand making her photograph him while shirtless before the alleged assault occurred. She told the officer:
"I'm reporting that Russell Brand did rape me. What I'm going to say now – then, I second guessed myself if it was rape because it was so normal. Sorry... he raped me basically – I know that happened. I remember him touching my breasts a lot - while kissing my neck."
She characterised Brand's conduct as resembling theatrical physical comedy, describing him as moving
"like Basil Fawlty when he does his goose steps"and
"like an ostrich – like a bird because he was very leggy."She stated she was not amused by his behaviour and remembered him jumping and acting in a silly manner.
What emotional impact did the alleged assault have?
The woman described her emotional state after Brand left the room, saying she was
"just sitting there crying and I felt stupid."She explained that in that immediate aftermath, she was simply shocked by what had occurred.
During her police interview, she became emotional while describing the incident as something dirty that had happened to her. She told officers she believed the assault was her fault and that she subsequently experienced nightmares about the possibility of pregnancy. She said she felt
"dirty"and was deeply troubled by the potential consequences.
The complainant explained that she delayed reporting the alleged crime because she feared the consequences for her career. She stated:
"I was told if you come out with this, your career is done."
What role did the 2023 documentary play?
According to reporting on the second day of the trial, the complainant said a 2023 documentary prompted her to contact police, as it showed her how manipulative Brand was. Judge Joel Bennathan instructed jurors that all six complainants came forward after the 2023 documentary, but the documentary's allegations are not part of this case.
What other evidence has been presented?
The first witness to testify was Mark Pinheiro, a former friend who accompanied Brand on the 1999 trip to Bournemouth. Pinheiro testified that Brand appeared
"incredibly alert and incredibly afraid"the day after the alleged 1999 rape and instructed the group to leave town immediately.
The prosecution has also alleged that a separate 2001 indecent assault involved an MTV worker, though details of this allegation remain part of the broader case against Brand.
Throughout Thursday's proceedings, Brand watched the television screen attached to the dock, rarely looking away. He appeared to listen attentively and maintained a relatively still position throughout the video evidence.
What is Brand's defence?
Russell Brand denies all charges and has pleaded not guilty. He has stated that any sexual contact, if it occurred, would have been consensual.
What happens next?
The trial is continuing and is expected to last around six weeks.
Background on Russell Brand
Brand rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian and became widely recognised as host of television programmes including Big Brother's Big Mouth and through radio shows on stations such as BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. He subsequently built a career in Hollywood, appearing in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek. In recent years, he has focused on podcasting and relocated to Florida in the United States.
Key Facts
- Brand faces seven charges: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault
- The allegations span 1999 to 2009 and involve six female complainants who did not know one another
- All six complainants came forward following a 2023 documentary, though those allegations are not part of the current criminal case
- A former friend testified that Brand appeared fearful the day after the alleged 1999 incident and told the group to leave town
- Brand denies all charges and maintains any sexual contact would have been consensual