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Russell Brand’s indecent assault charge reduced at trial

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:28 UTC · How we work

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Summary

British comedian Russell Brand had his indecent assault charge reduced to attempted indecent assault.
Mr Justice Bennathan instructed jurors to find Brand not guilty of the original indecent assault allegation.
Brand still faces three rape counts, three sexual assault counts and one attempted indecent assault count.
Six women allege incidents spanning 1999-2009.
Brand said a September 2023 documentary and newspapers were defamatory, prompting invented allegations.

Summary

Helen Berger testified she was asked to collect female fans’ phone numbers for Brand, making her uncomfortable.
She worked for Brand from June 2006 to February 2007.
Brand often roamed his flat in underwear and received oral sex in a women’s toilet cubicle during a radio recording.
She quit, saying she was “sick of him” and emotionally burnt out by the workplace culture.

History

In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker revealed Harvey Weinstein’s long-standing sexual-harassment and assault behavior, igniting the #MeToo movement. Over 80 women, including Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd, filed claims, and Weinstein’s firm paid $100 million to settle, prompting a New York DA criminal probe. Similarly, British comedian Russell Brand now confronts indecent-assault and rape charges for alleged incidents from 1999-2009, with a 2023 documentary reviving public scrutiny. Weinstein’s convictions demonstrate that courts can hold prominent entertainers accountable, suggesting Brand’s trial may set a precedent for industry-wide reform.

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Historical Context

In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker revealed Harvey Weinstein’s long-standing sexual-harassment and assault behavior, igniting the #MeToo movement. Over 80 women, including Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd, filed claims, and Weinstein’s firm paid $100 million to settle, prompting a New York DA criminal probe. Similarly, British comedian Russell Brand now confronts indecent-assault and rape charges for alleged incidents from 1999-2009, with a 2023 documentary reviving public scrutiny. Weinstein’s convictions demonstrate that courts can hold prominent entertainers accountable, suggesting Brand’s trial may set a precedent for industry-wide reform.

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