Russell Brand is not a ‘psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal’, court told
The defense team for comedian Russell Brand argued in court that sexual assault allegations against him were influenced by media coverage that 'poisoned the well' of justice. Brand faces seven charges of sexual offenses spanning a decade, all of which he denies.
Why it matters
This case highlights the intersection of media influence, public opinion, and the judicial process in high-profile sexual misconduct trials.
Russell Brand is not a “psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal” and is respectful when women say no, a court has heard.
Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter, said allegations about the comedian’s sexual conduct in 2023 had “poisoned the wells” of justice. He also said there had been “monstrous delays” in the women in the criminal trial coming forward to police.
In his closing speech at Southwark crown court on Monday, Winter questioned why Brand had been accused of “only three rapes in 10 years” out of all the women he had slept with.
He said: “It is an extremely curious feature of this case that out of the many, many women that Mr Brand had sex with during this period only three of them say they did not consent to anal, oral or vaginal sex.”
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Channel 4 documentary and journalists 'poisoned the well' against Russell Brand, court hears
Russell Brand Is Not ‘Some Kind of Psychopath Who Rapes People and Thinks It’s Normal,’ Defense Lawyer Says in Closing Argument
Channel 4 documentary and journalists 'poisoned the well' against Russell Brand, court hears
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