Southwark Crown Court heard closing arguments in the trial of comedian Russell Brand, who denies seven charges including rape and sexual assault against six women spanning a decade from 1999.
Brand's barrister Ian Winter told the jury that his client is not a 'psychopath who rapes people and thinks it's normal' and respects when women say no. Winter quoted theologian John Henry Newman, arguing that 2023 media reporting including a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and stories in The Times and Sunday Times had 'poisoned the wells of justice' by prompting women to come forward with allegations.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones denied the media coverage had 'such a subliminal hold on the minds of six perfectly rational women' to make them 'invent, reimagine, recast' their encounters with Brand.
Winter questioned why, out of the many women Brand had sex with during the alleged period, only three accused him of rape, suggesting Brand's behaviour was 'normal' after incidents because he genuinely believed consent was given.
The court heard the earliest allegation dates to 1999, when a woman accused Brand of rape after he performed in a fringe cabaret event during the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. Winter described the woman as not being a 'naive and wilting flower' and quoted her asking Brand if she was enjoying herself after the alleged incident.
Winter argued rapists do not try to please their victims, stating: 'He [Brand] said he was trying to please her but he wasn't successful.' Winter also said Brand 'was seeking the approval in the sex, it's the approval, it's the yes I will have sex with you'.
One count of indecent assault was amended to attempted indecent assault on Tuesday. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues.
