Russell Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court in London continued on Friday with testimony from a woman who alleged the entertainer indecently assaulted her. The woman, who worked at MTV, described an incident occurring in 2001 when she was in her thirties. She stated that after initial friendly conversation with Brand, his demeanor changed when they reached a bathroom door, at which point she said he grabbed her forearm and attempted to pull her inside while she resisted.
The witness told the court she managed to free herself from Brand’s grip through her own strength and subsequently reported the alleged incident to police in 2023 after viewing a documentary about the entertainer. When asked why she had not reported the matter earlier, she cited concern that it would be her word against his. During cross-examination, Brand’s legal representative questioned why she had not considered the incident an attempted rape for over two decades before changing her account.
The trial heard separate testimony from Andrew Dobson, a former flatmate of Brand’s, who characterized the entertainer as egotistical, demanding, and erratic before he achieved fame. Dobson told the court that sex was a significant preoccupation for Brand and recalled a morning when Brand returned to shared accommodation in a rushed and hurried manner following an alleged incident at a conference.
Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The allegations involve six female complainants and span a period between 1999 and 2009. Brand has denied all charges against him.
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