London Rape Trial: Comedian Russell Brand Testifies, Denies All Charges
Brand told Southwark Crown Court that no one agreed to support his case, while a judge reduced one of seven charges the previous day.
By Kevin Sanders ·
Zero witnesses agreed to testify in support of comedian Russell Brand as he took the stand on Wednesday in his London criminal trial. Brand was called by his lawyer, Ian Winter KC, as the first defense witness. Winter asked Brand if he had committed each alleged offense, and Brand replied no every time.
During his testimony, Brand discussed his career timeline. He stated that his 2010 marriage to Katy Perry resulted in staggering fame. He then revealed that he was unable to convince a single person with relevant information to appear on his behalf. My entire life has been consumed by these allegations, Brand told the court. I have devoted myself to these matters.
The trial is taking place at Southwark Crown Court. On Tuesday, Mr Justice Bennathan reduced one of Brand’s seven charges. The judge changed a count of indecent assault to attempted indecent assault. He told jurors there was insufficient evidence regarding a 2001 incident involving an MTV employee. Brand faces three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all remaining charges.
The case involves six female plaintiffs who are granted automatic lifelong anonymity under U.K. law. The alleged offenses occurred between 1999 and 2009. The prosecution presented its case over the previous two weeks. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described Brand as ruthless and calculated. She characterized his desire for sexual contact as indiscriminate and voracious.
The first complainant alleges Brand raped her at the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. The second alleges he grabbed her and tried to pull her into a toilet while she worked at MTV in 2001. The third woman says he squeezed her breasts at a Soho party in 2004 and then orally raped her in a toilet. The fourth allegation involves an incident at Capital Radio in 2004 or 2005. The prosecution says he pushed her against a wall and kissed her aggressively while grabbing her body.
The fifth woman alleges Brand anally raped her in 2009 after consensual vaginal sex. The sixth claim involves a woman who says Brand demanded a massage during a 2009 work assignment. Outside the court on Wednesday, Brand told journalists he was grateful that the system could accommodate the day's proceedings. He called the day one for truth and justice. The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday.
Source: Variety
