Verdict watch: Jury starts deliberating in UK actor Russell Brand rape and sexual assault trial

LONDON, Nov 4 — A UK jury Tuesday began to consider its verdict in the trial of British comedian and actor Russell Brand, charged with seven counts of rape and sexual or indecent assault.

Six women have given evidence, recounting alleged offences including anal, vaginal and oral rape between 1999 and 2009 when Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and television presenter.

He has pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to all the charges, saying that although he used to be promiscuous he always had consensual sex.

The prosecution earlier described him as a “ruthless, calculated and manipulative” sexual predator.

If found guilty, the 51-year-old, who was briefly married to US popstar Katy Perry, could face up to life in jail.

Giving evidence, Brand denied having a “goal” to sleep with 5,000 women but admitted he had been “obsessed” with sex when he was younger.

He has been accompanied to court most days by his wife Laura, who also gave evidence in his defence.

In a closing speech to the jury of eight men and four women, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said several of the alleged victims initially found Brand pleasant to be with.

“Then it was like there was a personality change, a pivot. His eyes changed, he snapped,” she said.

The women came forward after seeing a 2023 documentary that the prosecution alleges made them realise they were “not alone” and that there was a pattern of behaviour, Karmy-Jones said.

In his own closing remarks, Brand’s lawyer Ian Winter urged the jury to separate his conduct and treatment of women from the criminal charges he faced.

He said it was “not criminal to treat women unkindly before, during or after sex”, and it remained lawful if there was consent.

He said the claims were made “very many years” after the alleged offences and had been “thoroughly contaminated” by the documentary.

Judge Joel Bennathan told the jury members he could only accept unanimous verdicts. — AFP