Laura Brand testifies for husband in rape trial

Laura Brand testified as a defense character witness at Southwark Crown Court, describing her husband, Russell Brand, as caring and attentive while acknowledging that they once split because he was sleeping with other women. She told jurors that Brand respected her wishes about sexual activity and that their relationship proceeded at her pace. She said she felt cared for and looked after, and described him as a kind husband and father to their three children. Her testimony concerned their relationship; it does not establish what happened in the alleged offenses involving other women. Laura Brand said she and Russell Brand began dating after meeting in 2006 and broke up in 2007 because she did not want a relationship if he was not monogamous. She testified that they later reunited as a couple in 2015 and married in 2017. Their early relationship and later reconciliation were part of her account to the court. Russell Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. The charges relate to alleged offenses between 1999 and 2009 involving six women. Brand denies the allegations, and the trial...