Russell Brand: On Trial

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court.

Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the prosecution’s closing speech from the trial of Russell Brand.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC for the prosecution said none of the complainants has ‘sought the limelight’ or ‘any kind of publicity’. She said there is no benefit to them except perhaps some closure.
While reminding jurors of the complainants’ experiences, Karmy-Jones said that ‘women as a whole were disposable’ to Brand; ‘they didn't matter, he didn't even need to know their names.’
The judge also confirmed to the group of 12 jurors - made up of eight men and four women - that he can only accept a unanimous verdict.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the case for the defence of Russell Brand, as his wife, Laura Brand, enters the witness box.
The comedian’s wife was called as a character witness and told the court that he is an ‘amazingly attentive’ husband and that she feels ‘very seen by him’.
The prosecution challenged her account that she and Brand ‘hung out lots’ between 2007 and 2015. Laura Brand said she was ‘wrong’.
The court also heard from two ex-girlfriends who gave written statements.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.
Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the case for the defence of Russell Brand, as he takes the stand for the very first time.
In court, Brand denied all the charges against him. He explained that the impact of the 2023 Channel 4 documentary containing allegations was ‘devastating’ and when his lawyer asked if anyone ‘would touch him with a bargepole’, Brand said: ‘No.’
He said that ‘consent is fundamental, essential and necessary, and in many ways more important than sex itself.’
The prosecution accused Brand of 'forging' his account around evidence.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

This episode contains details about allegations of rape as they have been described in court
Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report more of the prosecution case against Russell Brand, as his statements to the police are revealed for the first time.
"I led a very promiscuous life, which I have spent years denouncing", he told them in a 2023 written statement. In another statement in 2025, he told them that he had sexual encounters in "countless" locations and scenarios, but added that he has "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity".
The judge also today changed the indecent assault charge against Brand to attempted indecent assault, due to insufficient evidence.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.

There's some explicit discussion of the legal definition of rape and sexual assault in this episode.
Sky News' Martin Brunt reports on more of the prosecution case against Russell Brand, as more witnesses give statements.
The court heard a read statement from Helen Berger, Russell Brand's former PA, who described what she calls Brand's "insane sexual appetite" and said he was "sleeping with people day and night". She said she had never witnessed him doing anything against the law.
Katie is away so Martin is joined by Wendy Joseph, a former judge at the Old Bailey, to talk about how courts deal with rape trials.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.