Russell Brand: On Trial

The police officer who oversaw the investigation into Russell Brand joins us on this episode.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy says as their work progressed, detectives built a picture of a man whose “power imbalance” and fame emboldened him to commit crime.
Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer also discuss how Brand’s first few hours in prison may have been and hear from David Roberts, from the Crown Prosecution Service, about the challenge of getting sexual offences to court.
Russell Brand is sentenced on Monday and we’ll be back then with another episode.
Email us at ontrial@sky.uk
Details of how to contact Rape Crisis are here

Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report after Russell Brand is found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Brand stood straight and still in the dock as the verdicts were read out - the jury having deliberated for just eight and half hours before reaching their unanimous decisions.
The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan told Brand to expect ‘a significant custodial term’. As Brand was led out of the court, he mouthed "I'm OK" several times to his lawyers.
In a statement outside the court, Det Supt Andy Furphy from the Met Police said: ‘I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.’
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the judge’s summing-up, as the jury is sent out to deliberate in the trial of Russell Brand.
Martin and Katie also answer listener questions.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court.
Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the defence’s closing speech from the trial of Russell Brand.
Brand’s lawyer, Ian Winter KC, told the court that journalists had 'poisoned the well of justice' in the case by prompting the women to come forward, following a Channel 4 documentary and stories in the Times and Sunday Times that made allegations about Brand in 2023.
He said there is 'no evidence [Brand] is some kind of psychopath who rapes people and thinks it's normal', adding: 'The fact he behaved normally during and after all of those rapes tells you what you need to know. He believed they were all consenting.'
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

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

Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the prosecution’s closing speech from the trial of Russell Brand.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC for the prosecution said none of the complainants has ‘sought the limelight’ or ‘any kind of publicity’. She said there is no benefit to them except perhaps some closure.
While reminding jurors of the complainants’ experiences, Karmy-Jones said that ‘women as a whole were disposable’ to Brand; ‘they didn't matter, he didn't even need to know their names.’
The judge also confirmed to the group of 12 jurors - made up of eight men and four women - that he can only accept a unanimous verdict.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.