Russell Brand accuser tells jury he turned 'monster-like' in 1999
Russell Brand, 51, is on trial in London on seven counts of rape and sexual assault, AP and The Independent reported. He denies them all, and a prosecutor called him a "ruthless" sexual predator. The first woman to testify said he turned "monster-like" before an alleged rape in her hotel room in 1999.
Russell Brand's trial on rape and sexual assault charges is underway at Southwark Crown Court in London, AP and The Independent reported.
Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, AP reported. The Independent said he denies all of the charges. AP said the charges involve six women and alleged offenses between 1999 and 2009.
Opening the case on Wednesday, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told jurors, "He was ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative," and said he was "a sexual predator," AP reported. She said the women, who do not know each other, did not report the alleged assaults at the time because of guilt, shame and concern that they would be blamed. They went to police individually after a 2023 television program aired anonymous claims against Brand, she said.
The first woman to give evidence alleged that Brand raped her in her hotel room during the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999, The Independent reported. Speaking from behind a screen, she said, "He changed from camp and friendly and effeminate to monster-like." She told the court she was "terrified," and The Independent reported that she felt she had nowhere to run.
During nearly two hours of cross-examination, Brand's lawyer, Ian Winter, accused the woman of not telling the truth and suggested she would have left the room if she was in danger, The Independent reported. She said she did not report it to police until 2023.
The judge, Mr. Justice Bennathan, told jurors that the 2023 documentary does not add support to the prosecution's case, the paper reported. He said the allegations in it "have never been tested in any court."
Arriving at court Wednesday, Brand said he felt "blessed," AP reported. "I feel, of course, concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved," he said. In police interviews, he denied ever engaging in nonconsensual sexual activity, AP reported. The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks.
AP noted that British law protects the identities of people who say they are victims of sexual offenses for life.
What we know: Brand denies all seven charges, and the first accuser has given evidence.
What we don't: How the jury will weigh the evidence when the trial ends.
Where outlets agree AP and The Independent both report that Brand, 51, denies three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.