Prosecutors Say Russell Brand's Defence Was "a Lot of Half-Truths"
Prosecutors told the jury in Russell Brand's London trial on Friday that his defence was "a lot of half-truths" spun into lies. The remark came in the closing argument, the final speech in which each side sums up its case before the jury starts to weigh the evidence. The prosecution's closing was given by Riel Karmy-Jones KC, a senior barrister, according to Variety.
Brand, a British comedian and actor, is 51. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. These are three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. Six women are named as complainants, and the alleged offences date from between 1999 and 2009.
Brand gave evidence for four hours and denied every allegation. "I'm innocent," he told the jury. His wife, Laura Gallacher, also testified, calling him an "amazing husband" and a "wonderful father." She met him in 2006, after most of the period covered by the allegations. Prosecutors have described Brand as "ruthless," according to a BBC live report from earlier in the trial.
The allegations themselves are specific. The first complainant says Brand raped her at the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, after asking her to take photographs of him half-naked. A woman working at MTV in 2001 says he grabbed her and tried to pull her into a toilet. A third complainant alleges that at a party in Soho in 2004 he squeezed her breasts, then orally raped her in a toilet. Each of these claims is an allegation that the jury has heard tested in court.
Brand's account to police has been consistent. He gave statements between 2023 and 2025 denying the allegations, and told officers he had never had non-consensual sex, the BBC reported. In evidence, he told the court that sexual consent is "fundamental," the BBC also reported.
The charges took shape over more than a year. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the public body that decides whether a case goes to court, concluded in April 2025 that Brand should face charges including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. In December 2025, the CPS authorised two further rape charges. Lionel Idan, the Chief Crown Prosecutor, announced them, the CPS said.
The jury was chosen on 12 October 2026, according to Reuters. Brand took the stand on 28 October. Before the jury heard the closing speeches, the defence finished setting out its case.
With both closing arguments now delivered, the case passes to the 12 jurors. They will decide whether the prosecution has proved each charge. Brand's pleas stand until that decision is reached.
