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Jury in Russell Brand rape trial begins considering verdicts
Developing story first seen 13 hours ago
The jury has begun considering its verdicts in Russell Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court, after three weeks of evidence. Its decision will determine whether he is guilty of any of seven charges, which he denies.
The charges concern allegations by six women between 1999 and 2009: three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. Brand said his past behaviour was sexually obsessive but consensual; prosecutors argued that he ignored the women’s refusals, while his barrister said none of the encounters was unlawful. The judge told the 12 jurors that he can accept only verdicts on which they all agree.
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In short
- Jurors have started deliberating in Brand’s trial.
- He denies all seven charges.
- The allegations span 1999 to 2009.
How this story developed
- 17 minutes ago The jury has begun considering verdicts in Russell Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he denies rape and sexual assault charges.
- 1 hour ago The jury has begun considering its verdicts in Russell Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court, after three weeks of evidence. Its decision will determine whether he is guilty of any of seven charges, which he denies.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The prosecution’s case is that the women’s accounts describe refusals being ignored, and that the evidence supports finding that the alleged acts were non-consensual. On this view, the charges should be judged on the testimony and evidence presented at trial, with the jury’s verdicts determining whether the prosecution has proved each offence.
The case against
The defence’s case is that Brand’s past sexual behaviour, though obsessive, was consensual and that the alleged encounters were not unlawful. It argues that the jury should carefully test the evidence for each charge and consider whether the prosecution has proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt, without allowing later media coverage to influence its assessment.
Explained simply
Russell Brand is a British actor and comedian who has also worked as a presenter and author. The case concerns accusations by six women about incidents alleged to have happened between 1999 and 2009.
Brand denies the charges, which include rape and sexual assault. He has said his past sexual behaviour was obsessive but consensual; prosecutors say the women described him ignoring their refusals. The trial is about whether the alleged acts were consensual and whether the evidence proves the charges.