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Jury in Russell Brand rape trial begins considering verdicts

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In short

Deliberations are underway after presiding judge Mr Justice Bennathan instructed jurors that only unanimous verdicts will be accepted for the seven total counts. Prosecutors argued that Russell Brand treated the six independent complainants as disposable commodities, detailing distinct assaults spanning a ten-year timeframe. Brand testified that his prior sexual obsession and use of fame never crossed into unlawful acts, with his defense contending a 2023 media investigation improperly prompted the delayed complaints.

Key points

  • The prosecution argued that Brand consistently ignored refusals and transformed from char…: The prosecution argued that Brand consistently ignored refusals and transformed from charming to frightening during the alleged attacks.
  • Brand took the witness stand to maintain that every sexual encounter across his past care…: Brand took the witness stand to maintain that every sexual encounter across his past career was entirely consensual.
  • The defense argued that none of the accusers contacted police initially and claimed a 202…: The defense argued that none of the accusers contacted police initially and claimed a 2023 media investigation influenced their reports.

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The jury has begun considering the verdicts in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial.

The media personality, 51, has been on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London for three weeks, facing three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Giving evidence, he told the court he had been "obsessed" with sex in the past, but insisted it was always consensual.

The charges relate to allegations from six women spanning a decade between 1999 and 2009. Prosecutors said the complainants described him as someone who "didn't listen" when they said no, and "didn't care".

On Tuesday, judge Mr Justice Bennathan told the jury of eight men and four women he can only accept a verdict they all agree on.

Brand was one of the UK's most high-profile comedians, presenters and actors during the 2000s.

At the trial, he admitted using his fame to "facilitate sexual access", which he now said was wrong, but denied ever doing anything criminal.

His barrister told jurors…

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