Russell Brand trial latest: Comedian gives evidence for first time over accusations of rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand trial latest: Comedian gives evidence for first time over accusations of rape and sexual assault Comedian is on trial over a series of alleged rapes and sexual assaults - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Russell Brand is giving evidence for the first time in his trial over sexual assault and rape allegations on Wednesday. The former comedian will face prosecutors at Southwark Crown Court over claims he raped and sexually assaulted a series of women between 1999 and 2009. On Tuesday, the court heard Brand had admitted to police about his “very promiscuous” lifestyle of kissing fans and sleeping with numerous women, but had always denied any non-consensual activity. Jurors were told Brand, 51, had been quizzed quizzed by police four times between November 2023 and July 2023, and told detectives that sexual misconduct allegations first made in 2023 following an investigation by The Times, Sunday Times, and Channel 4 are “false”. “The way of life that I have described, the magnitude of the promiscuity, deceptively rendered in recent media attacks, accompanied by advertisements for complainants, have caused consensual encounters to be unfavourably reframed decades later,” he told police. He is accused of three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and on Tuesday an allegation of indecent assault was changed to a charge of attempted indecent assault. The trial continues. Brand tells court he denies allegations Defence lawyer Ian Winter KC began by putting each of the alleged offences to his client. Brand responded loudly "no" to each allegation, with his hands clasped behind his back. Brand sworn in ahead of giving evidence to trial Brand spoke loudly and clearly as he took the oath on the Bible and crossed himself afterwards. Brand tells press today is 'day of truth and justice' as he arrives at court Russell Brand told reporters that today is the day for “truth and justice” as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the latest day of his trial. The 51-year-old held hands with his wife Laura Gallacher as he exited a black vehicle and approached the central London court. Asked by reporters if he wanted to say anything, he said: “Due to the circumstances of the day I think it would be inappropriate for me to say anything other than I’m very grateful that today is the day for truth and justice.” He added that “we are blessed that as of yet we have a system that can accommodate such things”. Brand wore a navy suit with a white open neck shirt and a folded tie. Breaking: Brand to give evidence at trial as defence begins Russell Brand is set to take the stand on Wednesday morning at his trial at Southwark Crown Court. Brand walked to the witness box and was sworn in just after 10am. The comedian denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and a charge of attempted indecent assault.