Russell Brand accusers feared they would not be believed, court hears

Women who accuse Russell Brand of rape delayed reporting their allegations because they feared they would not be believed, jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court have heard.

One woman testified that Brand grabbed her breasts at a birthday party in a Soho bar in 2004, dragged her into a toilet cubicle and forced her to perform oral sex. She said he told her not to be a “spoilsport” when she rejected his advances. The woman said the era’s “lad culture,” Brand’s celebrity and fears that her character would be attacked left her terrified of approaching police.

The court also heard evidence from relatives, friends and colleagues of another woman, who alleges Brand raped her at his London home in 2009. The woman had met Brand after a Hammersmith Apollo performance and later went to his home for consensual sex, but alleges he forced her into anal sex despite her repeatedly telling him to stop.

Her parents said she told them shortly afterward that she had screamed in pain and feared contracting HIV. A colleague testified that the woman appeared ashen and reported bleeding after the encounter. Several people encouraged her to contact police, but witnesses said she believed she would be blamed or disbelieved.

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault involving six women and allegations dating from 1999 to 2009. He has denied engaging in non-consensual sexual activity.