Prosecutors tell the Russell Brand trial he was a 'ruthless, calculated and manipulative' sexual predator. He is presumed innocent and has pleaded not guilty
Prosecutors told a London court on Wednesday that Russell Brand was a 'ruthless, calculated and manipulative' sexual predator, the Guardian, Reuters, the BBC and the Evening Standard reported. He first appeared in court on Monday. The New York Times reported after that hearing that he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which are for rape and sexual assault; the Mirror has published the full list. The Evening Standard reported that the court was told he laughed at women he is accused of abusing and that people around him did nothing during an alleged sexual assault at a radio station. Only the Standard carried those two details. Our sources gave no count of complainants, no timetable and no response from the defence.
A prosecution opening is a statement of what the Crown says it will prove, not evidence. The story matters because it is the most widely reported British trial of the moment, and because the public has followed the allegations for years while the court has now begun to test them.
Nothing to do. Reporting is limited to a fair and accurate account of what is said in court, so you will hear one side first and the other later. He is presumed innocent until a jury decides.
Supporters of the prosecution say serious allegations belong in open court, and that a clear opening helps the jury follow the evidence.
Defence lawyers will say an opening speech is one side's story, that the evidence must be tested and that a fair trial needs restraint in how it is reported.
Do not read a verdict into the first day. The things to watch are the witnesses, the cross-examination and any ruling from the judge on what may be reported. Until the defence case is heard, the only fair summary is that serious allegations have been made and denied.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 11 · Morning · THU., OCT. 15, 2026