Russell Brand's lawyer says rudeness during sex is not crime

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 17:20 · Archive

Russell Brand's barrister told jurors that treating women unkindly during sex is not criminal if there is consent.

Russell Brand's barrister Ian Winter KC told Southwark Crown Court on Monday that acting rudely towards women during sex is not criminal if there is consent. The remarks came during closing speeches as he urged jurors to separate Brand's sexual behaviour from the question of whether he committed crimes. Brand, 51, denies three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999.

Mr Winter told jurors it was not criminal to treat women unkindly before, during or after sex, or to be disrespectful or rude. He argued that the allegations came many years later and were made after 'the well of justice had been corrupted and contaminated' and the 'public mind poisoned' against his client. He also cited the 'truly devastating effect' of the 2023 allegations on Brand, noting he had been blocked from visiting his baby son during heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

On Tuesday morning, the judge overseeing the trial summed up more than three weeks of evidence before jurors retired to begin their deliberations.

How it is being reported

• Acting 'rude' or like a 'crazy idiot' isn't a crime says Russell Brand's lawyerBeing “disrespectful or rude or acting like a crazy idiot” towards women during sex is not a crime if there is consent, Brand’s lawyer has said.Oxford Mail · 3 Nov, 16:37
• Acting 'rude' or like a 'crazy idiot' isn't a crime says Russell Brand's lawyerBeing “disrespectful or rude or acting like a crazy idiot” towards women during sex is not a crime if there is consent, Brand’s lawyer has said.Oxfordshire Guardian · 3 Nov, 16:37

In this story: Russell Brand · Ian Winter KC · Southwark Crown Court · Great Ormond Street Hospital

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