Russell Brand rape accuser says he turned 'monster-like' and told her to 'enjoy it' as she lay 'like a zombie'
Russell Brand, who denies three counts of rape among seven charges, allegedly told one accuser she would "have to learn to enjoy it" — a phrase she said left her wondering: "Is this what abusers do?Russell Brand faces allegations spanning 1999 to 2009, with one accuser saying he transformed from "camp and friendly and effeminate to monster-like" moments before the alleged attack.
A woman who encountered Russell Brand at a Labour Party conference fringe event in Bournemouth in 1999 testified at Southwark Crown Court that she was unable to breathe or resist during the alleged rape. She said Brand transformed from "camp and friendly and effeminate to monster-like" moments after compelling her to photograph him shirtless in her hotel room. The 51-year-old comedian denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault, with the allegations covering the period from 1999 to 2009 and involving six women.
The accuser told jurors that when she met Brand she believed he was gay, which made her feel safe enough to invite him for tea — he was semi-naked by the time she came out of the bathroom.
Topless photos of a young Brand blowing a kiss at the camera, taken by the alleged victim shortly before the attack, were shown to the jury.
Defence barrister Ian Winter KC put it to her that she had consented and later had regrets; she replied: 'I regret to this day the error in judgment that this man manipulated me into.'