Russell Brand Was ‘Ruthless and Calculated’ With a ‘Voracious’ Desire for ‘Sexual Contact,’ Prosecution Alleges in Rape Trial Opening Statement

Oct 14, 2026 2:30am PT Russell Brand Was ‘Ruthless and Calculated’ With a ‘Voracious’ Desire for ‘Sexual Contact,’ Prosecution Alleges in Rape Trial Opening Statement

By Ellise Shafer

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Ellise Shafer

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Russell Brand was “ruthless and calculated” with an “indiscriminate and voracious” desire for sexual contact, the prosecution alleged in its opening statement at the actor and comedian’s rape trial in London.

Brand has been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty and denied all charges.

The jury was selected on Tuesday, consisting of eight men and four women. The case involves six female plaintiffs, all of whom are given automatic lifelong anonymity according to U.K. law, and relates to alleged offenses that occurred between 1999 and 2009.

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