Russell Brand Denies Non-Consensual Sex as Rape and Assault Trial Continues
British comedian and media personality Russell Brand told police he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity when questioned over allegations of rape and sexual assault, a court in London has heard.
Brand, 51, made the statement during police interviews conducted four times between 2023 and 2025. He is currently standing trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he denies all charges against him.
Jurors heard on Tuesday that Brand provided a prepared statement during each interview. In November 2023, he said he had lived a “very promiscuous life” but insisted he had never engaged in sexual activity without consent.
Brand also described the allegations as arising from what he called a “defamatory and fictitious documentary”. He claimed the documentary featured false and anonymised interviews and alleged that subsequent media coverage and police appeals had led to further encounters being “invented or reimagined”.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the jury was formally asked to return a not-guilty verdict on a charge of indecent assault after the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, ruled there was insufficient evidence to support that charge.
The allegation concerned a woman who said Brand grabbed her arm and attempted to drag her into a toilet in 2001 while she was working at MTV.
However, the jury was given an amended indictment charging Brand with attempted indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to the amended charge.
The prosecution is expected to conclude on Wednesday morning, after which the defence is due to begin presenting its case.
Brand denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. The charges remain allegations, and the trial is ongoing.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
