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Russell Brand's Rape Trial Opens at London Court

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Russell Brand Rape Trial

Russell Brand, 51, began his rape trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
He faces three rape counts, three sexual-assault counts and one indecent-assault count involving six women.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a ruthless, calculating predator with a voracious sexual appetite.
Alleged incidents span 1999-2009, including a hotel rape at the 1999 Labour conference.

Summary

Brand Denies Charges

Judge Joel Bennathan began selecting a 14-person jury from 50 prospective jurors.
Brand entered escorted by a guard, holding his wife’s hand, and removed sunglasses.
Only 22 journalists sat inside while others watched on a screen in an overflow area.
Brand posted a YouTube video denying charges, referencing Jeffrey Epstein and urging truth and justice.
Judge Bennathan warned jurors not to research Brand because of his high public profile.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial unfolded against a backdrop of recent Los Angeles unrest: the 1991 Rodney King beating and the 1992 riots had already soured Black-Police relations. Judge Lance Ito presided over an eight-month, televised proceeding that drew about 100 million viewers, while prosecutors Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran leveraged new DNA evidence and racial-bias arguments that echoed the city’s earlier police scandals.

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Russell Brand Rape Trial

Russell Brand, 51, began his rape trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
He faces three rape counts, three sexual-assault counts and one indecent-assault count involving six women.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand as a ruthless, calculating predator with a voracious sexual appetite.
Alleged incidents span 1999-2009, including a hotel rape at the 1999 Labour conference.

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