Jurors weigh verdict in Russell Brand sexual misconduct trial

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London began weighing their verdicts on Tuesday in the trial of actor Russell Brand.

The case involves allegations from six women who do not know one another. They accuse Brand of sexual misconduct between 1999 and 2009. That period covers his rise from a stand-up comedian to a major celebrity in the United Kingdom.

Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors described him as a sexual predator during that decade. They said he attacked women in various locations, including a hotel room, MTV offices in London, a bar toilet, a radio station, a recording studio, and his home.

Defense attorney Ian Winter argued that the evidence was weakened because the claimants reported the incidents to police years after they occurred. Winter noted that the reports followed a 2023 documentary containing anonymous allegations against Brand. He stated that the well of justice had been corrupted and contaminated by that broadcast.

In his closing statement on Monday, Winter told the jury to separate Brand's treatment of women from the legal question of whether he committed crimes. Winter said it is not criminal to treat women unkindly before, during, or after sex. He also noted that it is not criminal to be disrespectful, rude, or to act like a crazy idiot. Winter added that Brand had an immense amount of sex and none of it was unlawful. He dismissed character judgments as irrelevant to the jury's consideration.

Brand gave evidence that he had been obsessed with sex as a younger man. However, he said his encounters were always consensual. He has attended court every day of the three-week trial. His wife, Laura Gallacher, accompanied him to each session. Brand is currently free on bail.

Judge Joel Bennathan instructed the jury on Tuesday that they must reach a unanimous decision. He said he can only accept a verdict that is the verdict of all 12 members. After about an hour of deliberations, the jurors were sent home for the night. They were warned not to discuss the case with anyone else.