Russell Brand trial: UK jury retires to consider verdict for comedian, actor accused of sex offences
A jury of eight men and four women have begun considering their verdicts in the trial of comedian Russell Brand on charges of rape and sexual assault.
The jury in the trial of British comedian and actor Russell Brand, who is accused of a string of historical sex offences, have begun their deliberations.
Brand, once a regular figure on British television and star of a number of Hollywood movies, is accused of three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and an attempted indecent assault involving six women between 1999 and 2009.
The 51-year-old former husband of US singer Katy Perry denies all the allegations, giving evidence last week that he had previously dedicated his life to reckless philandering and idiocy but said consent was always non-negotiable.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Prosecutors told the jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court as Brand’s trial began last month that he was a ruthless “sexual predator” who attacked the six women as he rose from stand-up comedy to being one of the United Kingdom’s most high-profile figures.
All six of the complainants came forward to police after a documentary was broadcast in 2023, alongside newspaper articles, in which other women who are not involved in the trial made anonymous allegations.
Last week, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said in her closing speech that the six women “realised they are not alone” after the documentary came out.
Brand’s lawyer Ian Winter, however, said that the allegations in the documentary had “poisoned the well” and made the complainants reimagine or invent consensual encounters.
Judge Joel Bennathan finished summing up the evidence and sent the jury out to begin their deliberations just before 3pm on Tuesday.
He told the jury - consisting of eight men and four women - that they must reach a unanimous decision.
“I can only accept a verdict that is the verdict of all 12 of you,” he said.
The jury were asked to pick up their personal belongings and paperwork before leaving the court to begin deliberations.
After about an hour of deliberations, the jurors were sent home for the night with a warning not to discuss the case with anyone else.
with AP and PA
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
