A woman tells the Russell Brand trial that the alleged rape happened so fast
ABC News reported on 20 October that a woman told the trial of Russell Brand that the alleged rape happened so fast. Reuters reported under the headline that a woman told a UK court the comedian raped her. Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, according to ITV and ABC News. He faces seven charges: three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault, relating to six women over a period from 1999. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC opened the case in mid-October, describing him as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator, according to ITV and ABC News. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Rape trials turn largely on the credibility of complainants' accounts, so the evidence of each woman is tested by cross-examination. Jurors are directed to decide each count on its own evidence.
Readers should treat the evidence as allegations until the jury returns a verdict. Anyone affected by sexual assault can contact 1800RESPECT for support.
The prosecution, as reported by ITV and ABC News, argues that Brand used his fame to assault women and that their accounts are credible.
Brand denies every allegation, according to the same reports, and his defence is expected to challenge the accounts through cross-examination.
Confirmed: seven charges, not guilty pleas, and a woman's evidence on 20 October, reported by ABC News and Reuters. Not confirmed: any verdict. Watch for further complainants' evidence and the defence case.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 17 · Morning · WED., OCT. 21, 2026