By Basant El-Faramawy
Russell Brand's rape trial at Southwark Crown Court entered its third week, with the former comedian and his wife giving evidence. Brand, 51, faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 1999 to 2009. He denies all charges.
Brand's testimony
Brand spent four hours in the witness box on Wednesday, describing the criminal case as a "deeply traumatic episode" and blaming his public fall from grace on 2023 media reports, including a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary. He said he had achieved "staggering fame" after marrying pop star Katy Perry but now nobody would "touch [him] with a bargepole." Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC challenged his portrayal of abandonment, noting his millions of online followers. Brand insisted consent was "absolutely non-negotiable" and "fundamental, essential, necessary," while admitting he misused his fame to "facilitate" sexual activity with women.
Laura Brand's evidence
Brand's wife, Laura, confirmed she is the sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher and daughter of Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher. She testified that they fell in love after meeting in 2006 but Brand cheated early in their relationship. They broke up in 2007, reunited in 2015, and married two years later. Laura described him as a "wonderful father" and "amazingly attentive husband." Under cross-examination, she acknowledged Brand's Rumble channel, political conference appearances, and his 2024 baptism after the allegations emerged.
Demeanour in court
Brand remained largely still during the trial but became animated during his wife's evidence, smiling, laughing, and mouthing words toward her. During his own testimony, he answered confidently in a booming voice, using florid language such as "badinage," "loquacious," and "coquettishness." However, his demeanour shifted markedly during cross-examination, punctuated by long pauses and silences, notably after the prosecution's first question: "You blame Dispatches, don't you?"
Confronted with past writings
The prosecution read extracts from Brand's 2007 book, My Booky Wook, and past media comments. One passage described a childhood decision to "act gay to attract girls." Another quoted Brand writing: "My egotism and the single-mindedness with which I pursued potentially sexual conquests could often make me uneasy company." He also wrote of removing obstacles to possess "the object of my desire" and referred to himself as a "fervid, febrile mass of sexual energy."
Closing speeches and next steps
Prosecutor Karmy-Jones delivered her closing speech on Friday, arguing the six accusers did not know each other and had nothing to gain. She said they had "bravely come before you to tell you the truth" after realizing they were not alone. Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC, is expected to make his closing speech when the trial resumes on Monday.
