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Russell Brand says allegations had devastating impact on him

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The 51-year-old entertainer began mounting his defense on Wednesday morning after prosecutors concluded their arguments against him. Addressing the courtroom, he directly denied the allegations by loudly telling jurors "no" as his barrister read through each listed offense. He faces an indictment that includes three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. Six female complainants have brought forward the claims, which span from 1999 to 2009.

Key points

  • The defendant has completely denied all seven charges involving allegations made by six f…: The defendant has completely denied all seven charges involving allegations made by six female complainants.
  • The alleged offenses before the court span a ten-year period between 1999 and 2009.: The alleged offenses before the court span a ten-year period between 1999 and 2009.
  • The trial remains ongoing as the defense continues presenting its case at Southwark Crown…: The trial remains ongoing as the defense continues presenting its case at Southwark Crown Court.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

Russell Brand has said a documentary that made allegations about his behaviour had a "devastating" effect on him, and made friends and colleagues turn against him.

The entertainer has begun giving evidence as his defence case gets under way at his trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Brand, 51, is accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of attempted indecent assault.

The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. He denies all the charges.

After the prosecution closed their case on Wednesday morning, Brand entered the witness box and took the oath as his evidence began.

Defence barrister Ian Winter KC began by taking Brand through the indictment, asking him if he had committed the offences.

After each question, Brand replied "no" loudly towards the jury.

Brand was then asked about a documentary that aired in 2023, which included some allegations against him.

Asked by Winter what impact the documentary had had on his friends and colleagues turning their backs on him, Brand said: "It was devastating."

Winter questioned whether Brand had been able to persuade any friend or acquaintance who might have been able to give evidence on his behalf to appear in court.

Brand, wearing a black suit with an open neck white shirt and a loose black tie, replied: "I have not."

Winter asked: "Will they touch you with a bargepole?" Brand said: "No."

The trial continues.

Russell Brand on Trial

You can follow the trial day by day on the BBC podcast Russell Brand on Trial - available on BBC Sounds, YouTube, iPlayer, or wherever you get your BBC podcasts

Original source: www.bbc.co.uk

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