Russell Brand denies rape charges as he takes stand at trial

Summarised from 7 outlets · 14 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 11:15 · Archive

Russell Brand has begun giving evidence at his rape trial, denying all seven charges against him.

Russell Brand, 51, began giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday as the defence case commenced. He was charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. The allegations span from 1999 to 2009 and involve six female complainants. Brand denies all charges.

During his testimony, Brand replied "no" loudly to each charge when asked by his barrister, Ian Winter KC, whether he had committed the offences. He told the court his "entire life has been consumed" by the case.

Brand arrived at court with his wife Laura Gallacher. When asked by reporters if he had anything to say, he replied: "Due to the circumstances of the day I think it would be inappropriate for me to say anything other than I'm very grateful that today is the day for truth and justice."

The prosecution's case concluded on Wednesday morning after nearly two weeks of evidence. During that time, Helen Berger, Brand's former personal assistant who worked for him from June 2006 to February 2007, told the court she witnessed him mistreating women. She said Brand would find random women online and that sex often left him depressed. Ms Berger told the court: "Though I've worked with a lot of celebrities and seen a lot of people normalising bad behaviour, this was on another level."

Brand told police on four occasions between November 2023 and July 2025 that his "very promiscuous" celebrity lifestyle had been "unfavourably reframed" into allegations. In statements read to the jury, he described kissing hundreds of fans in public, having sex in toilets, and abruptly ending sexual encounters. He said: "I led a very promiscuous life in the past, which I have spent years openly denouncing." Brand blamed the allegations on "defamatory and fictitious" media reports from September 2023, when Channel 4's Dispatches programme and investigations by The Times and Sunday Times made initial allegations.

Brand told the court the documentary and media coverage had a "devastating" effect on him, causing friends and colleagues to turn their backs on him. When asked if he had been able to persuade anyone with relevant evidence to give testimony on his behalf, Brand said he had not. His barrister asked: "Will they touch you with a bargepole?" Brand replied: "No."

Brand also claimed he was blocked from entering Great Ormond Street Hospital to be with his sick baby son during open heart surgery, stating the hospital cited the published material about him as the reason.

When asked by his lawyer if he could remember the complainants in November 2023 to January 2024, Brand said "no". However, he said "yes" when asked if he is now able to remember some events relating to the six complainants, citing "new information" including video interviews and visits to alleged event locations.

How it is being reported

• Russell Brand claims friends 'wouldn't touch him with barge pole' after documentary accusing him of rapeThe former comedian has addressed Southwark Crown Court from the witness box during his trial for rape and sexual assault charges spanning 10 years - allegations which he denies.The Mirror · 28 Oct, 11:16
• Russell Brand says rape claims ‘devastating’ as he starts giving evidenceThe former comedian denies the charges.Evening Standard · 28 Oct, 10:53
• Russell Brand claims he was ‘blocked from hospital’ to see sick baby son after rape allegationsRussell Brand was blocked from entering Great Ormond Street Hospital (Picture: Yui Mok/Press Association) Russell Brand’s rape trial has continued, with the former comedian taking the stand and claiming his ‘entire life has been consumed’ by the case. The 51-year-old denies seven charges he is…Metro · 28 Oct, 10:52
• Russell Brand says allegations had devastating impact on himThe entertainer begins giving evidence at his trial on charges including rape at Southwark Crown Court.BBC News · 28 Oct, 10:48
• Russell Brand trial latest: Comedian gives evidence for first time over accusations of rape and sexual assaultComedian is on trial over a series of alleged rapes and sexual assaultsThe Independent · 28 Oct, 10:20
• Russell Brand gives evidence in rape and sexual assault trial – latest updatesBrand, 51, has been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter, began by going through the indictment and asking him if he committed the offences, to which he replied “no” to each. Shortly after the prosecution concluded its case this morning, Brand took to the stand to give evidence as the defence begins. Continue reading...The Guardian · 28 Oct, 10:20
• Russell Brand says 'today is the day for truth and justice' as he is set to give evidence at rape trialComedian and actor has arrived at Southwark Crown Court where he is expected to give evidence at his rape and sexual assault trialEvening Standard · 28 Oct, 09:50
• Russell Brand told police he led a ‘very promiscuous’ life, trial hearsComedian accused of sexual offences against six women said consensual encounters were ‘unfavourably reframed decades later’ Russell Brand told police he had led a “very promiscuous” life and consensual sexual encounters had been “unfavourably reframed decades later”, his trial has heard. The 51-year-old comedian blamed the allegations on “defamatory and fictitious” media reports. He said in a statement that he had had sexual encounters in countless locations and scenarios and kissed hundreds of people in public while trying to be “friendly, consensual and warm”. Continue reading...The Guardian · 27 Oct, 18:32
• Russell Brand told police his 'very promiscuous' lifestyle had been 'unfavourably reframed' into rape and sexual assault claims, court hearsA jury was told the 51-year-old actor, who was arrested for rape, outlined the 'magnitude' of his promiscuity when he was questioned about allegedly attacking six women over a decade.Daily Mail · 27 Oct, 18:27
• Russell Brand claimed 'very promiscuous past' was 'unfavourably reframed', rape trial hearsBrand described an intense celebrity lifestyle that included kissing hundreds of fans in public, having sex in toilets, and abruptly cutting off encountersEvening Standard · 27 Oct, 18:19
• Russell Brand told police ‘very promiscuous’ celebrity life ‘reframed’ as rapeThe comedian, now 51, was quizzed by police four times between November 2023 and July 2025.Evening Standard · 27 Oct, 18:01
• Russell Brand says he was ‘promiscuous’ but denies forcing himself onto womenThe TV host and actor admitted he engaged in ‘friendly, consensual and warm’ interactions with fansThe Independent · 27 Oct, 17:05
• Russell Brand told police ‘very promiscuous’ celebrity life ‘reframed’ as rapeThe comedian, now 51, was quizzed by police four times between November 2023 and July 2025.Evening Standard · 27 Oct, 15:51
• Russell Brand arrives at court for rape trial as ex-comedian prepares to take the stand for first timeFormer comedian Brand will make another appearance at Southwark Crown Court today, where he will be speaking for the first time in his defence as he answers serious accusationsThe Mirror · 27 Oct, 09:58

In this story: Russell Brand · Helen Berger · Laura Gallacher · Ian Winter KC · Southwark Crown Court · Channel 4 · The Times · Sunday Times

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log