LONDON – Russell Brand told reporters that “today is the day for truth and justice” as he arrived at a London court on Wednesday to plead not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges.
The actor and comedian made the brief comment while entering Southwark Crown Court with his wife, Laura Gallacher.
Brand, 51, took the witness stand and swore an oath before stating his full name, Russell Edward Brand. He responded “no” to all seven charges against him: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault.
During questioning from his lawyer, Ian Winter, Brand said the allegations had had a “devastating” effect on his life.
“My entire life has been consumed by these events, these allegations, these accusations,” he told the court.
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The trial has so far lasted two weeks, with prosecutors presenting their case and jurors hearing testimony from six women who allege that Brand committed sexual misconduct between 1999 and 2009.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones described Brand to the jury as “ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative. And, the prosecution say, he was a sexual predator.”
Brand became prominent in the early 2000s through provocative stand-up comedy, television appearances and his BBC radio program. He also acted in Hollywood movies including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek,” and was briefly married to pop singer Katy Perry. His rise to fame was accompanied by highly publicized struggles with drugs and alcohol.
In more recent years, Brand has stepped back from mainstream entertainment, moved to Florida and cultivated a substantial online audience. His videos combine wellness content, conspiracy theories and conversations about his religious faith.
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