By Salma El-Sakka
Russell Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday to give evidence in his trial on seven criminal charges, including three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. The 48-year-old comedian and actor denied all allegations made by six women, telling jurors that "consent is more important than sex itself."
Labour Party Conference (1999)
A woman who attended the 1999 Labour Party conference alleges Brand raped her in a hotel room after a cabaret show. Brand testified he remembered meeting the "vivacious" woman and thought going to her room offered "at least the possibility of sex." He denied jumping on the bed like an "ostrich" but admitted he would "mess around, fool around and show off a lot." Brand said he would have repeatedly asked during sex if she was enjoying it, using phrases such as "am I doing this right?" and "is this OK?" He rejected the suggestion he portrayed himself as gay.
MTV Offices (2001)
An MTV worker accused Brand of trying to drag her into a toilet at the London offices in 2001. Brand denied any memory of the alleged attempted indecent assault. Asked by his barrister whether he intended any non-consensual assault, he replied softly: "Of course not."
Soho Bar
Brand is accused of groping a woman at a birthday party in the Nordic Bar, then dragging her to a toilet and forcing oral sex. Brand recalled his friend introducing the woman, saying she "really wants to meet you." He described her as "wide-eyed" and "flirty," and denied grabbing her breast. He acknowledged entering the lavatory with her but said it was for "fooling around, making out." Brand said the woman got into his car "completely voluntarily" afterward.
Radio Station (2005)
A Choice FM staffer alleged Brand pinned her against a wall, groped her, and gave "sloppy" kisses in 2005. Brand denied the actions, telling his barrister such behavior did not turn him on sexually and would not lead to intercourse. He said he could not recall the woman.
Hammersmith Apollo (2009)
A 21-year-old fan alleges Brand raped her days after meeting at his 2009 Hammersmith Apollo show. She says she willingly engaged in a threesome backstage and later agreed to go to his Hampstead townhouse, but alleges unwanted anal sex. Brand said he often invited people to the bar after gigs but could not remember picking out this complainant. He testified she never said "no" or told him to stop, described her attitude as "coquettishness, coyness," and denied forcing anal sex or causing pain. When the prosecutor characterized the encounter as "rough and violent," Brand replied: "It potentially was about my pleasure, but it was not rough or violent."
Channel 4 Massage (2009)
The final allegation involves Brand putting his head into a woman's lap during a massage at a Channel 4 project filming in 2009. Brand denied seeking sexual gratification from the massage and said there was nothing sexual in his conduct. He stated he "couldn't see what benefit would be derived" from the action.
Other Statements
Brand said the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary had a "devastating" effect and his "entire life has been consumed" by the allegations. He reiterated that consent is "non-negotiable" and "more important than sex itself." Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC accused Brand of staying silent in police interviews to "forge" his account around the evidence. Brand responded: "I was doing my best to participate."
