Jurors in London have begun considering verdicts in Russell Brand's trial after three weeks of testimony. He faces seven charges involving six women and alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty and testified in his own defense.
Jurors have begun considering their verdicts in the trial of Russell Brand on charges of rape and sexual assault. The deliberations follow three weeks of testimony. Judge Joel Bennathan addressed the jury at London's Southwark Crown Court after the three weeks of argument and evidence, telling them they must reach a unanimous decision. He said unanimous verdicts are needed on each charge for Brand to be convicted, and reminded jurors he could only accept a unanimous verdict from all 12 of them.
The charges
The jury will decide whether to convict or acquit Brand on seven charges: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. The final count was reduced from indecent assault during the trial. The charges stem from accusations by six women and involve alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all of them.
Prosecution and defense arguments
Prosecutors argued that Brand was a sexual predator who attacked the women in places including a hotel room, the London offices of MTV, a London bar toilet, a radio station, a recording studio and his home. Brand's lawyers argued the claimants' cases were undermined because they went to police only years after the alleged assaults and after the broadcast of a 2023 documentary containing anonymous allegations against him. The judge told jurors to disregard that 2023 Channel 4 documentary. He said anonymous complaints in a TV show add no support to the prosecution and that the allegations were never tested in any court.
Brand's testimony
Brand testified in his own defense. He acknowledged he had been obsessed with sex as a younger man but said his encounters were always consensual. He admitted promiscuity during the period in question and claimed the encounters he remembered were consensual. Brand is free on bail and has attended court every day, accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher.
