Judge Bennathan Replaces Indecent Assault Charge with Attempted Count in Russell Brand Trial

Key points

• Judge Bennathan ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the original indecent assault charge involving a 2001 incident with an MTV employee.
• The judge replaced the dismissed charge with a count of attempted indecent assault for the same incident, where Brand allegedly grabbed the woman and tried to drag her into a toilet.
• Brand has been formally acquitted of the original indecent assault count, but jurors will still consider the new attempted assault charge.
• The trial centers on allegations from six women regarding incidents between 1999 and 2009, with Brand originally facing seven charges including three counts of rape.
• Prosecutors described Brand as 'ruthless and calculated' during opening arguments, while Brand maintains his innocence and claims his consensual encounters were misrepresented.

Background

The trial began in October 2026 at Southwark Crown Court, following a 2023 joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 that brought allegations of sexual misconduct against Brand into the public eye. The proceedings are expected to last up to 10 weeks, with testimony from multiple accusers detailing alleged incidents at work and other locations.

Why it matters

The charge substitution highlights the legal complexities of prosecuting historical sexual misconduct cases, where evidence standards may differ between completed and attempted offenses. It also underscores the ongoing scrutiny of high-profile figures in the entertainment industry regarding alleged sexual misconduct spanning multiple decades.

What to watch

Jurors will continue evaluating the remaining six charges, including three counts of rape and three of sexual assault, as testimony from additional accusers and defense statements proceed in the coming weeks.