Russell Brand's lawyer tells his rape trial jury that 2023 media allegations 'poisoned the wells' of justice
Russell Brand leaving Southwark Crown Court in October, as Ryder Cup winner Bernard Gallacher sat beside him in the public gallery throughout Monday's closing speeches.
Ian Winter KC, Brand's barrister, delivered his closing speech at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, arguing the six complainants were "thoroughly contaminated" by the Channel 4 'Dispatches' documentary and Times reporting that first aired the allegations in 2023. Winter questioned why none of the women resisted, screamed or tried to leave during the alleged attacks, and asked why Brand was accused of "only three rapes in 10 years" given his prolific sex life.
Winter told jurors it is not criminal to be "disrespectful or rude or to act like a crazy idiot" towards women, if there is consent.
Brand, 51, denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women, spanning 1999 to 2009.
Ryder Cup-winning golfer Bernard Gallacher, 77, sat beside his daughter Laura Brand in the public gallery as Winter concluded his defence.
