Russell Brand trial hears closing arguments in sexual assault case

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 09:31 · Archive

Russell Brand's defence barrister told Southwark Crown Court that 2023 media reporting poisoned the case against him.

Russell Brand, aged 51, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women in allegations spanning from 1999. He denies all charges.

On Monday, the trial heard closing arguments from Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC. Mr Winter began by quoting an 1864 passage from philosopher John Henry Newman about 'poisoning the wells', arguing that the 2023 media reporting about sexual misconduct allegations had compromised the fairness of the case. He said the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and articles in The Times and Sunday Times prompted the women to come forward with accusations.

Mr Winter challenged the evidence presented against Brand. He argued there was a 'curious feature' to the complainants' accounts: that they all testified Brand behaved normally during and after the alleged incidents. He suggested this could not be consistent with guilt, arguing: 'He couldn't have been behaving normally if he knew they were not consenting.'

The barrister also questioned the pattern of allegations, noting that out of the many women Brand had sexual contact with during the period in question, only three alleged non-consensual sexual activity. He also highlighted what he described as 'monstrous delays' in the women coming forward to police.

Regarding one 1999 allegation from a woman at a Labour party conference, Mr Winter said she 'fancied him' and 'invited him back' to her accommodation and 'consented to the sex that took place there'. He challenged her recollection of events, saying a photograph she kept of Brand blowing her a kiss was 'completely inconsistent' with an allegation made for the first time 24 years later.

The complainants have alleged that Brand appeared charming before suddenly attacking them, forcing them into sexual activity in various locations including toilets, hotel rooms, corridors and bedrooms, then acting as though nothing had happened afterwards.

How it is being reported

• Jury in Russell Brand rape trial begins considering verdictsThe media personality has been on trial for three weeks, after pleading not guilty to all charges.BBC News · 3 Nov, 14:50
• Ten bombshell moments from the Russell Brand rape trialBrand is charged with seven offences, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault - and he denies all the alleged crimesEvening Standard · 3 Nov, 13:22
• What Russel Brand's lawyer said in defence of each allegation against himRussell Brand denies seven criminal chargesThe Independent · 3 Nov, 09:15
• Russell Brand rape trial: What his lawyer said about each allegationRussell Brand denies seven criminal chargesThe Independent · 2 Nov, 19:00
• Russell Brand is not a ‘psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal’, court toldDefence barrister says earlier allegations about comedian’s sexual conduct ‘poisoned the wells’ of justice as trial continues Russell Brand is not a “psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal” and is respectful when women say no, a court has heard. Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, said allegations about the comedian’s sexual conduct in 2023 had “poisoned the wells” of justice. He also said there had been “monstrous delays” in the women in the criminal trial coming forward to police. Continue reading...The Guardian · 2 Nov, 13:52
• Sexual misconduct allegations against Brand ‘poisoned the wells’, court toldRussell Brand denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women.Evening Standard · 2 Nov, 11:23

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

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