Russell Brand Denies Allegations as Trial Continues Following Reduced Charge

Russell Brand Testifies in London Trial as Prosecution Nears Close

Russell Brand took center stage at London’s Southwark Crown Court as his ongoing rape and sexual assault trial entered a crucial phase, with recorded police interviews playing for the jury and the prosecution preparing to rest its case. The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces multiple charges involving six different accusers, with allegations spanning from 1999 to 2009.

The trial progressed through weeks of testimony from accusers, co-workers, and Brand’s former personal assistant before the defense prepared to begin its arguments. Jurors heard audio from police interviews conducted between late 2023 and mid-2025.

Prepared Statements and Police Interviews Read to Court

During hearings on Tuesday, prosecutors played recordings of Brand’s police interviews from November and December 2023. In a pre-prepared statement read to officers, the comedian insisted that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity, according to LBC. Brand stated that he led a very promiscuous life in the past, which I have spent years openly denouncing.

The Trial of Russell Brand | Day 12: Brand calls allegations “invented or reimagined”

The Hollywood Reporter noted that Brand criticized the origin of the legal proceedings, pointing to a September 2023 documentary that he described in his police statement as defamatory and fictitious. He argued that the broadcast, combined with subsequent media and police invitations for additional tips, resulted in further encounters to be invented or reimagined. Brand defended his interactions with fans, maintaining that he routinely kissed hundreds of members of the public during public appearances as part of an effort to be accessible and warm.

Judge Reduces One Count to Attempted Indecent Assault

Amid the witness testimony, trial proceedings shifted when the judge altered a specific charge against the defendant. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mr Justice Bennathan told the jury there was insufficient evidence to support an original charge of indecent assault involving a former MTV worker in 2001, who alleged Brand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her toward a toilet.

Photo: BBC

The judge formally directed the jury to find Brand not guilty of that specific count, replacing it with an amended indictment charging attempted indecent assault. Brand has formally entered a not-guilty plea to the revised charge.

The prosecution is scheduled to conclude its case on Wednesday morning, paving the way for the defense to present its arguments in a trial expected to last up to six weeks.