Russell Brand was a “sexual predator”, a prosecutor alleged, as his trial opened at Southwark Crown Court today (Oct 14). He denies all seven charges against him.
The Mirror reports that the case concerns six women and allegations dating from 1999 to 2009. The 51-year-old faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault.
Russell arrived at the London court with his wife Laura Gallacher on Wednesday. Television crews and journalists were there to film their arrival.
Russell Brand jury hears specific allegations
Jurors heard an allegation concerning a woman working at MTV in 2001. The prosecution alleged Russell grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into the toilets.
The Sun reports that jurors also heard an allegation of rape at a Bournemouth hotel following a Labour conference. The woman was in her twenties, and the prosecution alleged Russell pushed her onto a bed.
The prosecution described several alleged locations: workplaces, his home, a hotel room and a bar toilet.
Russell prosecutor outlines her case
Opening the prosecution case, Riel Karmy-Jones KC described Russell’s alleged conduct.
She said: “He was ruthless, calculated and manipulative, and the prosecution say – a sexual predator.”
The prosecutor alleged Russell could be charming when seeking something from women. She claimed he then became demanding and entitled.
Her account distinguished women who objected from those she said had no chance to react to his advances.
She said the six women had come forward independently and did not know each other then or now. She linked their encounters with Russell to employment, social events and his comedy performances.
Jurors heard that Russell’s career changed during the period covered by the allegations. He moved from stand-up gigs into television presenting and acting.
Russell Brand’s alleged apology
Russell allegedly apologised after a woman accused him of treating her like an animal, a court has heard, according to Sky News.
Southwark Crown Court heard the allegation as prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC outlined the woman’s account.
The prosecutor described messages allegedly exchanged the following year, after a chance encounter in Scotland.
The woman questioned why he was messaging her, the court heard. According to the prosecution, Russell’s reply suggested he wanted to take their sexual encounters further.
She allegedly told him: “I think you pushed me far enough – you treated me like an animal”. The woman said Russell replied: “I’m sorry.”
The alleged rape followed a meeting at Russell’s Hammersmith Apollo show in 2009, the prosecution said.
The court heard the woman kissed him in the bar after the performance. A security team member then allegedly invited her backstage, where she agreed to a threesome.
She declined to have full sex with him that night, according to the prosecutor.
Russell later invited her to his home in Hampstead, north London, the court heard. The woman alleges he made her shower while he watched.
She says they initially had consensual sex, but alleges he subsequently raped her.
According to her account, he appeared horrified afterwards and forced her to clean up.
Ms Karmy-Jones said the woman later struggled with alcohol addiction and blamed herself for months and years.
Russell Brand trial could last ten weeks
The court selected 12 jurors after questioning prospective candidates about their exposure to allegations concerning Russell in 2023.
Those questions included whether they had watched a Channel 4 documentary or read a newspaper article about the allegations.
The trial could run for up to ten weeks. The prosecution’s case is scheduled to take around four weeks.
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan is overseeing proceedings, with Ian Winter KC representing Russell.
Legal restrictions prevent naming any of the complainants. All six are expected to give evidence in person from behind a screen.
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