Russell Brand trial: Jurors shown bedroom photo; witness testifies

A jury at Southwark Crown Court has heard testimony from a woman who alleges Russell Brand raped her at his London home in 2009. The 51-year-old entertainer faces seven charges in total: three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. Brand denies all charges and has pleaded not guilty.

Alleged Rape at Hampstead Home

In video evidence played to the court, the complainant stated she "couldn't speak or breathe" during the alleged attack. She told police she was a "massive Russell Brand fan" and met him after a stand-up performance at the Hammersmith Apollo. She alleged that after a consensual encounter began at his Hampstead townhouse, Brand anally raped her without warning.

"He didn't give me a warning, he didn't ask," she said. "I felt like I couldn't speak or breathe, the amount of pain." She added that when she asked him to stop, he did not. According to the witness, Brand appeared "horrified" after the incident but told her, "Clear up the mess you've made."

Jurors were shown photographs of the bedroom, which included a crucifix above the bed and black furnishings. The woman described the experience as one of the "most painful experiences" of her life and stated she later visited a sexual health clinic fearing she had contracted a disease.

Testimony on Workplace Assaults

Two other women gave evidence from behind a blue screen regarding alleged assaults in workplace settings. One woman, who worked at Choice FM radio studios in the mid-2000s, described an alleged attack as "frenzied" and "violent." She stated Brand grabbed her face, kissed her "sloppy" and "very, very rough," and pressed his body against her while running his hands over her body.

"He was kissing me, it was very frenzied. There was no time for me to even understand what was going on," she told the jury. She explained that she did not report the incident at the time due to fear of losing her job and the cultural environment of the era.

A second complainant, who worked with Brand on a Channel 4 project in 2009, alleged that Brand placed his head in her lap and mouth in her vaginal area after she refused a request from his team to give him a massage. She described feeling "so repulsed" and reported the incident to her line manager.

Defense and Court Proceedings

Brand’s barrister questioned the witnesses on why they did not report the incidents immediately. The radio station employee stated, "It was not the present-day environment," and noted she feared she would not be believed. Brand’s defense maintains that any sexual contact was consensual.

During the testimony, Brand sat upright in the dock, staring straight ahead. His wife, Laura Brand, sat beside him outside the dock. The trial continues.

Why it matters

The trial highlights allegations of sexual misconduct against a prominent public figure, spanning a decade and involving multiple complainants. The proceedings illustrate the legal and personal complexities faced by accusers, including delays in reporting due to workplace culture and fear of professional repercussions. The case remains ongoing as the jury considers the evidence presented.

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Sources

• bbc.com: Woman says she 'couldn't speak or breathe' during alleged rape by Russell Brand
• theguardian.com: Russell Brand told woman to ‘clear up the mess you’ve made’ after alleged rape, court hears | UK news | The Guardian

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.