Russell Brand testifies in London sexual assault trial

British actor and former broadcaster Russell Brand is currently standing trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court, facing charges of sexual misconduct involving six women between 1999 and 2009. The 51-year-old faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and a newly added charge of attempted indecent assault, following a judge's decision to drop a previous count of indecent assault earlier this week. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

During the third week of the trial, Brand took the witness stand to deny the accusations, stating that he never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity and asserting that consent was fundamental to his encounters. He described the personal and professional fallout since the allegations surfaced as devastating, noting that many friends and colleagues distanced themselves after a 2023 documentary and subsequent media reports prompted the complainants to come forward. The prosecution characterizes Brand as a predator, while the defense continues to contest the claims as the trial moves toward its conclusion.