Complainant's friend tells court what she said after alleged rape by Russell Brand

The trial of Russell Brand, who faces seven charges including three counts of rape, continues at Woolwich Crown Court. A friend of the complainant told jurors that she spoke of severe pain after the alleged assault in 2009. Evidence was also given by a second friend and by the woman's parents, whose written statements were read out in court.

Javlon TursunovFirst published on tafs uz 2 min read
Complainant's friend tells court what she said after alleged rape by Russell Brand

The key facts

  • Russell Brand, 51, denies all seven charges: three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault
  • The charges span the period from 1999 to 2009 and relate to six women
  • The complainant's friend said she said 'it really, really hurt' and that Brand was 'quite aggressive'

Testimony of the complainant's friend

The trial of Russell Brand continues at Woolwich Crown Court. A friend of the woman who alleges Brand raped her gave evidence via video link. She said that in 2009 she and the complainant visited the Hammersmith Apollo theatre in London, where after a comedy show they were invited to the defendant's dressing room. The witness said that shortly after meeting at the theatre, Brand sent a car which took the woman to his home in Hampstead. When they discussed what had happened 'quite soon after', the complainant, according to the witness, 'just cried — was very upset'.

Details of the alleged assault

The witness said her friend told her that Brand forced her into anal sex at the end of a sexual encounter that had begun by mutual consent. 'He was quite aggressive,' she quoted her friend as saying. According to her, the complainant said: 'He forced his way into my arse and it really, really hurt.' The witness separately asked her friend whether she had said 'no' to Brand, and she replied — 'loads of times'. The complainant also said she 'was in a lot of pain' and 'couldn't sit down'.

Testimony of a second friend

Another friend of the complainant gave evidence from behind a screen. She told jurors that her friend had said she asked Brand to stop during the alleged rape. According to her, the worst moment was the aftermath: 'She said Brand told her she was dirty and should clean up her mess.' She also relayed her friend's words that Brand 'was quite cold and wanted her to leave'. The witness advised her friend to get examined because of anal tears and discomfort, to speak to her parents and to the police. 'She just wasn't sure — her head was all over the place. She felt it wasn't worth it,' she said. According to her, the complainant 'didn't think she would be believed' and 'kind of pushed it to one side'.

Statements from the parents

Written statements from the complainant's parents were read out in court. Her mother said: 'I just remember her saying

Russell Brand in a grey suit, white shirt and long, white scarf, leaving a car to enter the court roomImage source, Getty Images
Russell Brand arriving at court on Wednesday wearing sunglasses and a tweed jacketRussell 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.Russell Brand arriving at Southwark Crown Court

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