Judge reduces indecent assault charge against Russell Brand during trial
A judge has reduced one indecent assault charge against Russell Brand to attempted indecent assault, saying there was insufficient evidence to convict him of the original charge. The change concerns an allegation that he tried to pull an MTV worker into a toilet; the other rape and sexual assault charges are unaffected.
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies the allegations. The prosecution has largely finished presenting its case at Southwark Crown Court, where the trial began on 12 October and is expected to continue for about ten weeks; the defence is due to begin on 28 October, and Brand may give evidence.
In short
- Indecent assault charge reduced to attempted indecent assault.
- The judge cited insufficient evidence for the original charge.
- Brand denies all charges; the other allegations remain.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The reduction reflects the judge’s view that the evidence presented did not meet the threshold for the original indecent assault charge. Recasting it as attempted indecent assault preserves the possibility of a finding on the narrower allegation while respecting the distinction between an attempted act and a completed one.
The case against
The prosecution may argue that the allegation should be assessed by the jury alongside the full evidence, and that reducing the charge narrows what they can consider about the encounter. The change could also be seen as giving insufficient weight to evidence that might support the original charge, though the judge’s decision concerns only this allegation and does not determine the outcome of the trial.
Explained simply
Russell Brand is a British actor and comedian who has also worked as a television and radio presenter. He is on trial at Southwark Crown Court over allegations of rape and sexual assault involving several women.
A criminal trial examines evidence to decide whether the prosecution has proved each charge to the required standard. Brand denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty; the case matters because the court’s decisions will determine whether he is found guilty of any of the offences.