Russell Brand takes the stand in rape trial, says no one agreed to testify for him

Russell Brand describes the devastating impact of allegations during his trial.

Russell Brand has spoken about the personal impact of the sexual assault allegations against him as he took the witness stand for the first time in his criminal trial in London. The British comedian told jurors that the accusations had been “devastating” and that he had been unable to find friends or former colleagues willing to testify in his defence. Brand denies all the charges against him.

The 51-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, October 28, where his defence began presenting its case after nearly two weeks of prosecution evidence. Asked by his barrister, Ian Winter KC, whether he had persuaded anyone with relevant evidence to appear on his behalf, Brand replied, “I have not.”

Winter then asked whether those people would “touch you with a barge pole.” Brand answered, “No,” describing the consequences of the allegations as devastating.

Russell Brand Denies Every Charge

At the beginning of his testimony, Brand was asked about each of the seven charges he faces. He answered “no” to every allegation, firmly denying that he had committed rape or sexual assault.

He is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. The allegations involve six women and concern incidents said to have taken place between 1999 and 2009, when Brand was a prominent television and radio personality and was also appearing in Hollywood films.

The case follows allegations made public in September 2023 through reporting by The Times and The Sunday Times and a Channel 4 ‘Dispatches’ documentary. The women subsequently reported their allegations to police. Brand has consistently denied engaging in non-consensual sexual activity.

During his testimony, Brand said consent was “fundamental, essential, necessary” and, in many ways, more important than sex itself. He also told the court that the criminal case and the accusations had consumed his life.

Russell Brand Speaks About the Impact on His Family

Brand also discussed the effect of the allegations on his family. He told the court that Great Ormond Street Hospital had prevented him from visiting his baby son while the child was receiving treatment, including open-heart surgery. According to Brand, the hospital cited material published about him as the reason for restricting his attendance, although he said he and his wife, Laura Gallacher, were not given a clear legal explanation. This was Brand’s account of the circumstances presented to the court.

Gallacher has accompanied her husband to court on several days of the trial. On Wednesday, the couple arrived holding hands before Brand began giving evidence.

As he entered the courthouse, Brand told reporters that he was grateful the day had arrived for “truth and justice.”

What the Jury Has Heard So Far

The prosecution has presented accounts from six women who describe alleged sexual misconduct spanning a decade. The accusations include an alleged rape in a hotel room in 1999, an incident involving an MTV employee in 2001, an alleged sexual assault at a Soho bar in 2004, and further alleged assaults involving women working in radio and television.

Another woman alleges that Brand raped her in 2009 after meeting him following one of his stand-up performances. Brand has denied the charges and disputed the accounts presented against him. In some instances, he has said he does not remember the alleged events; in others, he has described encounters as consensual or denied that they occurred as alleged.

The charge relating to the 2001 MTV incident was amended on Tuesday from indecent assault to attempted indecent assault after the judge concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the original charge. The amended charge remains part of the case.

Brand’s testimony marks a major stage in the proceedings, but it does not determine the outcome. The jury must consider the evidence presented by both sides before reaching its verdict. The trial is continuing, and Brand remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.