Russell Brand Takes the Stand in London Rape and Sexual Assault Trial

London – British comedian and actor Russell Brand gave evidence in his own defence at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, telling jurors that a television documentary containing allegations about his conduct had had a devastating effect on his life and turned friends and colleagues against him.

Brand, 51, is on trial on three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault, relating to six women and alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. He denies all the charges.

Brand entered the witness box on the morning of the third week of the trial, shortly after the prosecution closed its case following nearly two weeks of evidence. When asked by his lawyer whether he had committed any of the alleged offences, he answered “no” loudly and clearly.

Questioned in court about whether he had been able to persuade any friend or acquaintance to appear as a witness on his behalf, Brand replied that he had not, and agreed that such people would no longer associate with him.

On Tuesday, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, informed jurors that one charge had been amended from indecent assault to attempted indecent assault after he concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the original count. That charge concerns an allegation that Brand grabbed a female MTV employee by the arm and attempted to drag her into a toilet.

The court has also heard that Brand was interviewed by police on four occasions between November 2023 and July 2025. A pre-prepared statement he gave to police in November 2023 was read to the jury by prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones.

The Metropolitan Police opened its investigation in September 2023 after allegations against Brand were broadcast in Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and published by The Sunday Times. Brand, who rose to prominence on British television and radio in the early 2000s and later starred in a number of Hollywood films, has consistently denied the allegations.