Russell Brand's Wife Calls Him an "Amazing Husband" at Rape Trial
Laura Gallacher told a London court on Thursday that her husband, Russell Brand, is an "amazing husband." She gave evidence as a character witness, meaning she was called to speak about what Brand is like as a person, not about the events in the charges against him.
Brand, the British actor and comedian, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court. He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and he is presumed innocent unless a jury decides otherwise.
Under questioning from defence lawyer Ian Winter KC, Gallacher described her husband as "caring and kind" and a "wonderful father," according to Variety. The two have been married since 2017 and have three children together. Brand first announced the marriage on his Radio X podcast, as the BBC reported at the time.
The case involves six women who have made complaints against him. The alleged offences date from 1999 to 2009. Jurors were chosen on 12 October, according to Reuters.
Earlier in the trial, a woman told the court that Brand anally raped her after she had gone to his house willingly for consensual sex, and that he ignored her pleas. Reuters reported that testimony on 21 October. Another woman told police that Brand grabbed her breasts and then dragged her into a toilet at a bar, a statement Reuters reported on 19 October.
Brand has also taken the stand himself. He told the court that he had been obsessed with sex as a younger man, PBS NewsHour reported on 28 October.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating on a verdict as soon as Tuesday, 3 November, Variety reported. Once the jury reaches a decision, the court will announce whether Brand is found guilty or not guilty on each charge.
