Russell Brand Testifies Over 7 Sex Charges, Telling London Court Consent Is Fundamental
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 28
Russell Brand Testifies Over 7 Sex Charges, Telling London Court Consent Is Fundamental
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 28
Summary
Southwark Crown Court heard Russell Brand testify for the first time Wednesday, as the 51-year-old denied ever having nonconsensual sex.
Seven charges — including rape and sexual assault — stem from allegations by six women over incidents prosecutors say occurred in Britain between 1999 and 2009, when Brand was 24 to 34.
Brand told jurors that consent is "fundamental, essential, necessary" and "more important than sex itself," countering prosecutors' portrayal of him as a "ruthless" sexual predator.
Two weeks of prosecution evidence preceded his appearance, with the jury hearing from the six accusers through courtroom testimony and police video interviews.
The testimony marks a key stage in the trial, where Brand has pleaded not guilty to all counts and British law bars identifying the complainants outside court.