Russell Brand denies allegations as trial hears assault claim

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 17:32 · Archive

A woman told Southwark Crown Court that Russell Brand grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into a toilet in 2001.

Russell Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court facing three rapes, three sexual assaults and an allegation of indecent assault. The charges relate to six women.

A woman, who worked as an MTV employee, testified about an alleged incident in 2001. She told the court that after complimenting Brand's 'I am Spartacus' T-shirt during a brief conversation, he grabbed her forearm as he leaned towards a door. She described being taken aback, saying 'it took me unawares, I wasn't expecting that'. She characterised Brand as initially 'affable' before he 'suddenly turned into this wild-eyed maniac trying to pull me into the toilet', and that he was 'pleading' with her to join him in the men's toilet.

The woman said she managed to 'wrench' herself free from his grip. In her testimony, she explained her reasoning for not coming forward at the time, saying 'it would have been my word against his' and that she had a job to consider. She added that she 'came away relatively unscathed' and that Brand did not rape her, and that she 'wanted a quiet life'.

How it is being reported

• Russell Brand turned into a 'wild-eyed maniac' says alleged rape victimRussell Brand turned into a “wild-eyed maniac” as he allegedly tried to drag a woman into a toilet for a sexual encounter.Oxfordshire Guardian · 16 Oct, 17:00
• Russell Brand turned into a 'wild-eyed maniac' says alleged rape victimRussell Brand turned into a “wild-eyed maniac” as he allegedly tried to drag a woman into a toilet for a sexual encounter.Oxford Mail · 16 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Russell Brand · Southwark Crown Court · Laura Gallacher

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