1 hour ago
What the court has heard so far
Russell Brand has denied all the allegations made against him as he took to the witness box to give evidence in his trial at Southwark crown court.
The comedian, 51, told the court that his “entire life has been consumed by these allegations”.
Brand said he struggled to find anyone to give evidence on his behalf, saying the consequences of the September 2023 investigation by the Sunday Times, Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches were “devastating”.
He told jurors that he believed consent was “fundamental, essential, necessary and, indeed, in many ways more important than sex itself”.
During cross-examination, Brand admitted he was “obsessed” with sex in his younger years but denied being unable to function without it.
He denied the accusation that he would pretend to be gay to make women trust him.
Key events
Closing summary
Russell Brand gave evidence during his trial at Southwark crown court, telling jurors the allegations of rape and sexual assault were “a deeply traumatic episode of my life”.
Brand, 51, told the court he has focused on the allegations “at the expense of my marriage, my children and health”.
The comedian said he was “in a position of fame, a successful person” and that he “misused that commodity foolishly” and “consensually”. He told jurors that he “was very comfortable” allowing his fame “to facilitate sexual access”, and that he acknowledged it was “wrong”.
Brand told the court he “dedicated” a lot of his life to “reckless philandering”.
Brand said he struggled to find anyone to give evidence on his behalf, saying the consequences of the September 2023 investigation by the Sunday Times, Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches were “devastating”.
He told jurors that he believed consent was “fundamental, essential, necessary and, indeed, in many ways more important than sex itself”.
During cross-examination, Brand admitted he was “obsessed” with sex in his younger years but denied being unable to function without it.
Brand has been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations dating between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Russell Brand has finished giving evidence in court.
The judge has sent jurors home for the day, with the trial to resume tomorrow with the defence’s case.
Brand tells court he 'misused' his fame for 'reckless philandering'
Brand told the court that he was “in a position of fame, a successful person” and that he “misused that commodity foolishly” and “consensually”.
He added that he “was very comfortable allowing that to facilitate sexual access” and that he acknowledged it was “wrong”.
He told jurors he “dedicated” a lot of his life to “reckless philandering”.
Allegations 'deeply traumatic episode of my life,' says Brand
Brand said it has been “deeply traumatic” since allegations have been made against him, adding that he has focused on recalling events “at the expense of my marriage, my children and my health”.
In response to questions from the prosecutor in relation to alleged inconsistencies in his prepared statement to police and what he has told the jury with regard to one of the complainants, Brand said: “Since these events occurred there’s been escalating recollection.
“Its been a deeply traumatic episode of my life.
“I’ve focused on it at the expense of my marriage, my children and health. I ask your forgiveness, well not your forgiveness, I recognise that this recollection includes small details that are inconsistent and I acknowledge that.”
Court is back in session.
Brand is being questioned by the prosecution on his statements about the allegations.
He denied constructing his account of events around what the complainants had alleged.
Karmy-Jones asked him about a statement he made in March this year, saying he had received accounts of the allegations from two of the complainants at that point.
She said: “So you knew what they said, and as I’ve already put to you, you constructed your account around some of what they said.”
Brand replied: “I disagree but I agree that you said it.”
Alcohol 'makes people less effective human beings,' Brand tells court
During cross-examination, Russell Brand told the court he believes alcohol “makes people less effective as human beings”.
A woman who alleged he raped her in a Soho bar toilet in 2004 told the court in her evidence she had drunk six or seven vodkas before encountering Brand.
When prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told Brand it was “obvious she had been drinking”, Brand said: “Yeah, I suppose so.”
Karmy-Jones put to him that the woman was “more vulnerable”, Brand said: “I agree alcohol makes people less effective.”
When the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, interjected to ask him to clarify, Brand said: “Effective human beings. It’s a deleterious substance.”
The court is taking a 20 minute break.
Brand said it was a “marvellous night” when he had a threesome with two women backstage at Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.
One of the women accused Brand of anally raping her during a second meeting at his flat a few days later.
Karmy-Jones put to him that it was an example of Brand “never leaving without a conquest” because the woman had refused to have full sex with him backstage.
Brand replied: “That actually went down as quite a marvellous night by the criteria of the time.”
Brand said that “going in and out of bathrooms didn’t attract a great deal of attention” during the time of the alleged offences.
When asked by Karmy-Jones if his behaviour was “normalised” by his peers, Brand said: “In the media in the early 2000s, people going in and out of bathrooms didn’t attract a great deal of attention.”
He added: “Maybe an eyeroll, eyebrow raise.”
Karmy-Jones asked Brand about the woman who alleged he grabbed her breasts before pulling her into a toilet and orally raped her at a bar in Soho in 2004.
When Karmy-Jones put it to him that he groped the woman and dragged her into the toilet, he denied it.
“What were you inviting her into the toilet for?” Karmy-Jones asked.
“For fooling around,” Brand replied.
Karmy-Jones asked him if he recalled telling the woman “don’t be a spoilsport, come on” when she protested, Brand said “I don’t remember”.
The prosecutor, Riel Karmy-Jones, asked Brand about the alleged attempted indecent assault against a woman who worked at MTV in 2001, who alleged the comedian grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into a toilet.
She said to Brand if he “quite enjoyed having sex in toilets” at the time, he replied “yes”.
Karmy-Jones asked: “Sex in toilets happened a lot didn’t it?”
Brand said: “Yes.”
Karmy-Jones asked if he remembered there being a struggle when he grabbed the woman’s arm, he said he did not recall.
Court is back in session.
Russell Brand’s cross-examination by the prosecution continues.
What the court has heard so far
Russell Brand has denied all the allegations made against him as he took to the witness box to give evidence in his trial at Southwark crown court.
The comedian, 51, told the court that his “entire life has been consumed by these allegations”.
Brand said he struggled to find anyone to give evidence on his behalf, saying the consequences of the September 2023 investigation by the Sunday Times, Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches were “devastating”.
He told jurors that he believed consent was “fundamental, essential, necessary and, indeed, in many ways more important than sex itself”.
During cross-examination, Brand admitted he was “obsessed” with sex in his younger years but denied being unable to function without it.
He denied the accusation that he would pretend to be gay to make women trust him.
Court has adjourned for a break until 2pm.
