Russell Brand says 2023 documentary had ‘devastating’ impact as he takes the stand

Russell Brand began giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, 28 October, telling jurors that a 2023 documentary alleging misconduct had a ‘devastating’ effect on him, BBC News reported. His testimony came as the defence opened its case in his rape and sexual assault trial.

Asked about friends and colleagues turning their backs on him, Brand said: ‘It was devastating.’ He also told the court that no friend or acquaintance he approached had agreed to testify on his behalf, according to the BBC. Those accounts of the documentary’s impact are Brand’s testimony.

What Russell Brand told the court

Winter asked whether anyone Brand knew who might have given evidence for him would do so. Brand replied that no one had. Asked whether they would ‘touch you with a bargepole’, he answered ‘No’, according to the BBC. The Guardian separately reported Brand saying his life had been ‘consumed by the impact of the allegations’.

Before entering court, Brand told reporters he was grateful that it was ‘the day for truth and justice’, The Standard reported. Those remarks were made outside the courtroom before he gave evidence; the jury has not reached a verdict.

What charges does Russell Brand face?

Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one charge of attempted indecent assault. The allegations involve six women and concern incidents said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to every charge, according to the BBC and The Guardian.

On Tuesday, the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, changed the indecent assault charge to attempted indecent assault after finding insufficient evidence to support the original charge, The Guardian reported. That count concerns an allegation that Brand grabbed a female MTV worker by the arm and tried to drag her into a toilet. Brand denies the allegation.

The change to the charge came a day before Brand took the stand. It followed earlier testimony heard during the prosecution’s case, including an accuser’s account of an alleged 2009 incident that she said she reported to a Channel 4 manager. Brand’s evidence is part of the defence case, and the trial continues.