Russell Brand Trial: Katy Perry Omitted By Prosecutors

Prosecutors agreed to omit Katy Perry from their opening argument at Russell Brand’s trial after submissions from Brand’s lawyers. Brand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault; the reporting restrictions that had concealed Perry’s omission were lifted when the trial ended.

The prosecution had considered mentioning Perry, but said that references to Brand’s relationship with her after 2009 could be sensitive. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Perry was not asked to provide a witness statement, saying investigators pursued reasonable lines of inquiry relevant to the charges. Perry was mentioned once in court, when Brand said their relationship helped propel him to “staggering fame”; he remains in custody awaiting sentencing on Monday.