Russell Brand Takes the Stand: What Happened on Da
Last updated 2026-10-28 12:00 UTC. Built from AP (11:18 UTC), Hollywood Reporter (11:30 UTC), BBC News (11:56 UTC), Variety, Deadline, Irish Examiner, and Southwark Crown Court proceedings.
What happened
Russell Brand, 51, took the witness stand at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday 28 October 2026, the first day of his defence case. Called by his lawyer Ian Winter KC, Brand answered "no" loudly and clearly to each of the seven charges put to him. He said he had been unable to persuade anyone else to give evidence on his behalf. He told the court the original Channel 4 documentary making the allegations had had a "devastating" impact on his life, turning friends and colleagues against him. He said: "My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations." The prosecution completed its case over the previous two weeks, during which six accusers gave testimony.
7Charges Brand faces: 3 rape, 3 sexual assault, 1 attempted indecent assault
6Women who gave prosecution testimony alleging offences between 1999 and 2009
Trial start date
12 October 2026, Southwark Crown Court, London
Defence case begins
28 October 2026
Period of alleged offences
1999 to 2009
Charges: rape
3 counts
Charges: sexual assault
3 counts
Charges: attempted indecent assault
1 count (reduced from indecent assault)
Police interviews of Brand
4 (November 2023, December 2023, January 2024, July 2025)
Expected trial length
up to 8 weeks (estimated by judge)
The charge reduction
On Tuesday 27 October 2026, Judge Mr Justice Bennathan reduced one of Brand's seven charges from indecent assault to attempted indecent assault. He told jurors there was "insufficient evidence" to support the original charge in connection with an allegation involving an MTV employee in 2001. The allegation was that Brand grabbed a female MTV worker by the arm and attempted to drag her into a toilet. Brand was formally acquitted of the indecent assault count, but jurors will still consider the attempted indecent assault charge at the same incident.
"My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations.
"Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court on 28 October 2026
The prosecution's case
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC told the jury in her opening statement that Brand was "ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative" and described him as a "sexual predator" with an "indiscriminate and voracious" desire for sexual contact. Over two weeks the court heard from six accusers, all of whom have automatic lifelong anonymity under UK law. The first accuser alleged Brand raped her at the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. Another alleged oral rape in a Soho bar in 2004. A third alleged anal rape at his Hampstead home in 2009.
"He was ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative.
"Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC
What we do not know yet
The defence has not yet put Brand through its full examination; that questioning was expected to continue on Thursday 29 October 2026. Brand has stated no other witnesses will testify for the defence, but the court has not confirmed the defence case is closed. The jury has not yet retired to consider a verdict. No verdict is expected until at least the following week at the earliest, given the complexity of the charges.
What to watch next
- Brand's further defence testimony expected to continue on Thursday 29 October.
- Cross-examination of Brand by prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC to follow.
- Jury retirement date and verdict: no timeline confirmed as of publication.
- Whether any additional defence witnesses are called.
- Judge's summing up expected once both sides have concluded their cases.
How we know this. Brand's testimony and courtroom events: AP (11:18 UTC 28 October 2026), Hollywood Reporter (11:30 UTC), BBC News (11:56 UTC). Charge reduction by Judge Bennathan: Variety (27 October 2026). Prosecution opening and trial background: Variety, Deadline, ABC News Australia, Irish Examiner. Interview dates: Variety and AP. All accusers have automatic lifelong anonymity under UK law and are not named in this article. Cover image: Inner London Crown Court, Southwark, London. Photograp
