Brand begs jurors for 'forgiveness' and admits 'beyond reckless philandering' after taking the stand in rape trial
Russell Brand, 51, spent upwards of four hours giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, asking jurors for "forgiveness" and conceding that he had exploited his celebrity to "facilitate sexual access" while devoting his life to "beyond reckless philandering and idiocy," as the judge told him directly that consent was "the million dollar question." He denied all seven charges — three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault — brought by six women who allege attacks between 1999 and 2009. His wife Laura Gallacher watched from the public gallery as Brand struggled under cross-examination, repeatedly losing his thread before haltingly answering questions.
Brand acknowledged saving one alleged rape victim's number under the letter "T" beside her name — meaning "tart."
As Brand wrapped up his evidence, the judge told him directly that consent was "the million dollar question."
Brand said the accusations prevented him from being at Great Ormond Street Hospital with his baby son during the child's open-heart surgery.
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