Russell Brand trial opens with prosecution claim he was 'ruthless and calculated'

Prosecutors told a London court that Russell Brand was “ruthless and calculated” and driven by an “indiscriminate and voracious” desire for sexual contact. The opening address on Wednesday, 14 October at Southwark Crown Court laid out the case against the British actor and comedian, who denies all charges.

Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, as reported by Variety. He has pleaded not guilty. The case concerns six women and alleged offences between 1999 and 2009.

Riel Karmy-Jones KC, leading the prosecution, said Brand sometimes told women what they wanted to hear to satisfy his sexual appetite. She described him to the jury as “a flirt with a huge sexual appetite — childlike in his expectation that his every desire should be met.” She said the circumstances of the alleged offending were as wide and as varied as Brand’s career.

The prosecution said the six complainants did not know each other. They had never met each other and came forward independently of each other, the court heard. Under U.K. law, complainants in sexual offence cases have automatic lifelong anonymity. That means they cannot be named in reporting.

The charges reached court in two stages. The Crown Prosecution Service first authorised two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault, then later authorised further charges, according to CPS statements. On 24 February 2026, Brand pleaded not guilty in a London court to two additional charges of rape and sexual assault, Reuters reported.

Jury selection began on Monday, 12 October, Reuters reported. A jury of eight men and four women was seated on Tuesday. The trial is expected to run for six weeks. Brand arrived at court on Wednesday morning accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher.