By Salma El-Sakka
Jurors at Southwark Crown Court have been given a list of 22 questions they must answer to reach verdicts on seven allegations against comedian and podcaster Russell Brand, the court heard on Friday.
Charges and background
Brand, 49, denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of attempted indecent assault involving six women between 1999 and 2009. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the jury the women, who do not know each other, described a similar pattern of behaviour that began with flattery before Brand “snapped” from charming to nasty. She said the women sought “closure” and had nothing to gain from coming forward. The defence argues Brand has been wrongly accused following media reports in 2023.
Jury's route to verdict
Mr Justice Bennathan instructed the jury to reach unanimous verdicts and said there would be “no pressure of time.” The 22 questions are structured around each count:
Count one – alleged rape at 1999 Labour Party conference
The jury must decide whether the complainant consented to penetrative sex, and if not, whether Brand knew or was reckless about her lack of consent.
Count two – attempted indecent assault at MTV offices in 2001
Jurors must determine whether Brand tried to drag the complainant into a toilet, whether he intended sexual touching without consent, and whether he knew she would not consent.
Count three – sexual assault at a Soho bar
The questions cover whether Brand deliberately touched the complainant’s breasts, whether that touching was sexual, whether she consented, and whether Brand reasonably believed she was consenting.
Count four – rape at a Soho bar
Jurors must decide whether Brand put his penis in the complainant’s mouth, whether she consented, and whether he reasonably believed she was consenting.
Count five – sexual assault at a radio station in 2005
The jury considers whether Brand kissed the complainant and/or touched her breasts and/or bottom, whether the acts were sexual, whether she consented, and whether Brand reasonably believed she consented.
Count six – rape at Brand’s Hampstead townhouse in 2009
There is no dispute that anal penetration occurred. The questions are whether the complainant consented and whether Brand reasonably believed she was consenting.
Count seven – sexual assault during Channel 4 filming in 2009
Jurors must decide whether Brand deliberately put his head in the complainant’s lap or groin area, whether the contact was sexual, whether she consented, and whether Brand reasonably believed she was consenting.
The trial continues.
