Jury Begins Deliberations on Seven Charges Against Russell Brand

A jury at Southwark Crown Court began deliberating Nov. 3 on seven charges against Russell Brand, following a three-week trial over allegations involving six women. The charges are three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. No verdict has been reported. Judge Joel Bennathan told the 12 jurors that any verdict must be unanimous. The charges concern alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all seven. Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones alleged that Brand raped or sexually assaulted the women during that period. In court, prosecutors described alleged encounters in a range of settings, including a hotel room, workplaces, a bar restroom and Brand’s home. The specific allegations remain claims for the jury to assess. Brand testified that his sexual encounters were consensual. He acknowledged having been focused on sex and engaging in what he described as reckless behaviour when younger, but denied committing the charged offenses. In closing arguments, defense lawyer Ian Winter urged jurors to distinguish Brand’s treatment of women from whether he committed crimes. He argued that the complainants’...