Russell Brand: On Trial

WARNING: This episode contains graphic details of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court.

“I'm reporting that Russell Brand did rape me”- those were the words the jury heard in a video played in Southwark Crown Court today.
They came from Russell Brand’s first accuser in a police interview in 2023 when she claimed she was raped by him in a hotel room in 1999.
Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take you through the allegations and the cross examination of the woman by Brand’s barrister.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

WARNING: This episode contains graphic details of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court.
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Today, the prosecution set out its case against Russell Brand calling him “ruthless, calculated and manipulative…a sexual predator”.
We heard from a former flatmate of Brand’s - the first witness for the prosecution - who told the court Brand said he “may have gone a bit too far” with a woman.
The day started with Brand responding to Katie outside court saying he was “concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved”.
Then, inside courtroom 3 of Southwark Crown Court in London, the prosecution outlined the allegations against him in detail. The prosecution say these allegations are from six women who “never met each other” and came forward "independently".
Katie and Martin were at court as lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described Brand as a man with a “childlike” expectation that his “voracious desires should be met”.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

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What happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway?
Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court.
Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court.
The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty.
He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues.
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Email us with your thoughts: skynewspodcasts@sky.uk

As Russell Brand goes on trial, Sky News brings together two award winning journalists to cover the case. Together this pair has more than 30 years experience reporting on the most high profile criminal cases.
Sky News’ crime commentator Martin Brunt and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer will be at Southwark Crown Court to hear the prosecution case, witness testimonies and Brand’s defence.
He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies the allegations against him.
Our eyes and ears in court, Martin and Katie will guide us through the maze of the justice system and this case with clarity and insight.
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