Judge dismisses one charge against Russell Brand as trial hears his defense of 'promiscuous' past

Key points

• Judge Bennathan ruled there was insufficient evidence to support an indecent assault charge related to a 2001 incident at MTV, directing the jury to find Brand not guilty of that specific count.
• The judge reduced the dismissed charge to attempted indecent assault, which the jury will still consider alongside the other six counts of rape and sexual assault.
• Brand’s prepared police statements were read to the court, where he described a 'very promiscuous' life and insisted he had 'never engaged in nonconsensual sexual activity.'
• Brand blamed a 2023 Channel 4 documentary and newspaper reports for prompting 'invented or reimagined' allegations, claiming consensual encounters were misinterpreted decades later.
• Former assistant Helen Berger testified that Brand asked her to collect phone numbers from female fans, describing his behavior as normalized within their work environment.

Background

This trial follows a 2023 investigation prompted by a Channel 4 documentary and Sunday Times reports alleging sexual misconduct. The case involves six women and spans a decade from 1999 to 2009. Previous coverage noted the judge’s decision to swap the indecent assault charge for an attempted count, a move that has been a focal point of the ongoing proceedings at Southwark Crown Court.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian focus on Brand’s defense strategy, highlighting his claims that media scrutiny led to fabricated accusations and that his public persona involved consensual physical contact. Yahoo emphasizes the legal nuance of the judge’s ruling, noting that while one charge was dismissed, the attempted indecent assault count remains, and details testimony from a sister of an accuser describing the alleged victim’s state. BBC provides a different angle by featuring testimony from former assistant Helen Berger, who described Brand’s 'insane sexual appetite' and his request for fan contact details, contrasting with Brand’s narrative of consensual interactions. All sources agree on the core facts of the charge reduction and Brand’s denial of guilt, but differ in emphasis: The Hollywood Reporter and The Guardian center on Brand’s statements, Yahoo on the legal outcome, and BBC on witness testimony regarding his behavior.

Why it matters

The trial highlights the legal challenges in prosecuting historical sexual misconduct cases, particularly when defense arguments center on the reinterpretation of consensual acts. The judge’s decision to reduce rather than dismiss the charge entirely signals that the jury will still weigh the attempted indecent assault claim, while the testimony from former staff provides insight into Brand’s professional environment and behavior patterns.

What to watch

The trial is expected to continue for up to six weeks, with the prosecution concluding its case on Tuesday morning. The jury will deliberate on the remaining six counts, including the revised attempted indecent assault charge, after hearing further testimony from accusers and defense witnesses.