The key facts

  • A woman testified at trial, describing Russell Brand's assault in 2004 in London's Soho.
  • Brand faces seven sexual offence charges spanning the period from 1999 to 2009.
  • The actor denies all charges, asserting that any contact was consensual.

Testimony about the 2004 assault

At the trial at Southwark Crown Court, a woman accusing Russell Brand of rape said that during the alleged assault she 'closed her eyes and tried not to be there'. In a 2023 police interview, played to the jury, the complainant described events that took place in 2004 at a birthday party in the Soho area of London. According to her, during a conversation about the host of the show Big Brother's Big Mouth, Brand suddenly grabbed her breast and then dragged her into a toilet where the floor was flooded.

Details of the incident and the defendant's reaction

The woman stated that Brand undid his zip and performed oral sex on her without her consent. She described her feelings as shock and disbelief, noting that part of her consciousness wanted to 'just get it over with so I could leave'. After the incident, she said, Brand turned to her and said: 'I think we should swap numbers.' The complainant also described his facial expression as a 'clown's smile' with a 'strange look in his eyes'.

The charges and the defence's position

Russell Brand, 51, faces seven charges: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The charges, brought by six women, span the period from 1999 to 2009. Brand denies all charges and has declared his innocence, asserting that any sexual contact, if it occurred, was consensual. This witness was the third whose testimony the court has heard, and the second to accuse the actor of rape.

The course of the trial

The trial continues and is expected to last six weeks. The jury has already heard testimony from several complainants. The case files include recordings of police interviews in which the women describe their experiences and details of what happened. British media, including BBC News, are covering the trial, noting that the material contains graphic descriptions of the events.

Russell Brand gets out of a car wearing brown sunglasses, a grey suit with a yellow fabric around as his neck. He has long hair down to his shoulders.Image source, EPA
Image caption,

Russell Brand arrives at court on Monday morning

Russell brand arriving at southwark Crown courtRussell Brand walking into court weraing sunglasses with three paparazzi photographers talking photos behind himRussell Brand arriving at Southwark Crown Court, London, where he faces three charges of rape, indecent assault, and three counts of sexual assault, relating to six women. Picture date: Friday October 16, 2026.