Devastating’: Russell Brand speaks out during sex crimes trial

British comedian and actor Russell Brand told a London court on Wednesday that a 2023 documentary about allegations against him had severely affected his personal relationships, claiming friends and former colleagues had turned their backs on him.

Brand, 51, is standing trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault involving six women. The alleged offences date from 1999 to 2009. He denies all charges.

Taking the witness stand during the third week of proceedings, Brand firmly rejected the accusations. When his lawyer, Ian Winter, asked whether he had committed any of the alleged offences, Brand answered, “No.”

The court heard that the women who brought the cases came forward to police after a documentary aired in 2023. The broadcast was accompanied by newspaper reports featuring allegations from other women who are not involved in the current trial.

Winter asked Brand about the impact of the documentary and whether it had damaged his friendships. Brand described the experience as “devastating”.

His lawyer also asked whether he had managed to convince any friends or acquaintances who could support his case to appear in court. Brand said he had not.

When Winter asked whether those people would now have anything to do with him, Brand replied, “No.”

Brand, who was previously a prominent figure on British television and appeared in several Hollywood films, was married to American singer Katy Perry. The trial is continuing.