Russell Brand trial latest: Comedian says he has no defence witnesses because ‘no one will touch him with a barge pole’

Russell Brand is giving evidence for the first time in his trial over sexual assault and rape allegations on Wednesday.

The comedian faces 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 says he was not famous during late 90s and early 00s

Russell Brand said he was not famous in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Asked by his lawyer Ian Winter KC if he had appeared at the Soapbox Cabaret during the Labour Party conference fringe in Bournemouth in 1999, Brand said: “Yes.”

Mr Winter KC asked: “Were you famous at all at that point in time?”

Brand responded: “No.”

Mr Winter KC asked if he started working as a presenter on MTV in 2000 to which Brand said: “Yes.”

Mr Winter asked: “Were you famous in 2000?”

Brand said: “No.”

Tom Barnes28 October 2026 10:23

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.

Amy-Clare Martin28 October 2026 10:17

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.

Amy-Clare Martin28 October 2026 10:16

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.

Tom Barnes28 October 2026 10:15

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.