Culture 3 min read By Trevor Kendall
Russell Brand Trial Opens With Prosecutors Alleging He Preyed on Women in British TV and Radio
Prosecutors told a London court that Russell Brand targeted three women in the British television and radio industry, describing his behavior as frenzied and predatory. Brand denies all charges.
Prosecutors in London alleged for the first time in court that Russell Brand preyed on three women working in the British television and radio industry, describing his behavior during the incidents as «frenzied» and «wild-eyed.» The 51-year-old comedian and actor appeared at Southwark Crown Court for the opening day of his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. Six women have accused him of crimes dating from 1999 to 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies the allegations.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the jury that the women «did not know each other» and «came forward independently of each other.» She described the circumstances of the alleged offending as «as wide and as varied as the defendant's career,» adding that his desire for sexual contact was «indiscriminate and voracious.»
Karmy-Jones portrayed Brand as «ruthless, calculated and manipulative,» saying he could be «nice when he wanted to be; funny — undoubtedly — charming, likeable even, when he wanted something in return.» But she also described him as «demanding, entitled, a flirt with a huge sexual appetite — childlike in his expectation that his every desire should be met.»
The court heard details of several allegations. One woman accused Brand of raping her after a Labour Party conference in 1999. Brand's former flatmate, Mark Pinheiro, was the first witness to give evidence. He told jurors that Brand had said he may have gone «a bit too far» with a woman at the event. «He said that things got a little bit heated and a little bit out of hand, and he thinks that maybe he did go a little bit too far,» Pinheiro testified. «Those were his words — 'I think I may have gone a bit too far'.»
Brand is also accused of indecently assaulting an MTV worker and committing sexual assault while visiting Capital Radio in 2004. The jury was told that a fifth complainant met Brand after his performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in 2009. Their encounter began consensually, but Brand allegedly raped her anally on a later occasion. The prosecution said the woman «spent years blaming herself.»
A year after the incident, Brand reportedly texted the woman, saying «I wanna push you further.» She replied, «I think you pushed me far enough — you treated me like an animal,» to which Brand allegedly responded, «I'm sorry.»
The trial is expected to last six weeks. Brand denies all claims made against him. The case continues.
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