Woman tells court Russell Brand tried to drag her into toilets

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

A woman has told a London court Russell Brand tried to grab and pull her into a toilet at her workplace in 2001.

One of six women accusing Russell Brand of sex offences has testified at London's Southwark Crown Court about an alleged incident in 2001. The woman said that at MTV Europe in London, where she was working, Brand initially engaged in friendly 'banter' with her about a T-shirt she was wearing. However, she told the court that after she accompanied him to show him where the bathrooms were located, his demeanour changed dramatically.

She said Brand became a 'wild-eyed maniac' and grabbed her arm, trying to pull her into the male toilets. 'He grabbed me by the arm and started to pull me and said "come on, come in with me",' she told the court, adding that he pleaded with her to join him. She said she was able to wrench her arm free and refused, telling him 'what are you doing, are you mad, let me go'. The entire incident lasted approximately 20 seconds, she said.

Brand, 51, once one of Britain's most high-profile broadcasters and former husband of US singer Katy Perry, is on trial accused of three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women between 1999 and 2009. He denies all allegations and told police after his arrest that he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. His lawyers argue the woman's experience was 'short lived'.

How it is being reported

• Woman says Russell Brand tried to drag her into toiletsA woman has told a UK court a "wild-eyed" Russell Brand tried to grab her and take her into the toilets, but his lawyers argue her experience was "short lived".The West Australian · 16 Oct, 14:39
• Woman says Russell Brand tried to drag her into toiletsA woman has told a UK court a "wild-eyed" Russell Brand tried to grab her and take her into the toilets, but his lawyers argue her experience was "short lived".Perth Now · 16 Oct, 14:39

In this story: Russell Brand · Katy Perry · MTV Europe · London · Southwark Crown Court

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