Russell Brand rape, assault trial opens

Russell Brand's trial opened 14 October 2026 at Southwark Crown Court on three rape counts, three sexual assault counts and one indecent assault count involving six women between 1999 and 2009. The jury of eight men and four women heard prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones describe Brand as ruthless, calculated and manipulative. She said uppermost in his mind was his insatiable desire to get what he wanted with whomever he wanted it from. Alleged incidents covered a 1999 Bournemouth hotel room after a Labour Party conference cabaret, MTV Europe in 2001, a 2004 Soho bar toilet, a mid-2000s radio station, Brand's Hampstead home in 2009 and a 2009 Channel 4 advertisement shoot. Prosecutors said one woman was told don't be a spoilsport, you want to; another said you treated me like an animal and heard I'm sorry. Mark Pinheiro testified Brand cowered at police sirens after leaving Bournemouth and later said I think I may have gone a bit too far. CONTESTED: Defence barrister Ian Winter challenged Pinheiro's recollection and the timing of disclosure to police. Brand said he felt blessed and was concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved. The trial continues.