Russell Brand Accused of Attempting to Drag MTV Worker into Toilet
A woman testified in court that Russell Brand transformed from amiable to a 'wild-eyed maniac' before attempting to force her into a male restroom in 2001.
Russell Brand, the comedian and actor, is accused of attempting to assault an MTV worker by trying to drag her into a male toilet in 2001, Southwark Crown Court heard. The alleged victim told jurors that Brand's demeanor shifted abruptly from jovial to aggressive as he grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her into the restroom.
"His demeanor changed. He grabbed my forearm as he leaning into the door and it was quite forceful the grip," the woman testified. She recounted that she managed to wrench her arm free, adding, "The intent was there, it could have been very different." The incident occurred shortly after Brand, who was a prominent MTV presenter at the time, had met the woman. She recalled their initial interaction as friendly banter after she commented on his distinctive "I am Spartacus" t-shirt.
Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The court heard details of the alleged indecent assault as the second woman to accuse Brand gave her testimony.
Describing Brand's behavior during the alleged incident, the woman stated he appeared 'desperate' and pleaded with her to enter the toilet with him. "He has what I would call a wild look in his eyes. I wrenched my arm back," she told the court. After realizing his attempt was unsuccessful, Brand reportedly entered the toilet himself. The woman described feeling bewildered and confused by the brief encounter, which she estimated lasted 20 seconds.
She confided in colleagues at the time but did not file a complaint, fearing her word would be insufficient against Brand's prominence. "I was scared. I got away. I thought it would be my word against his. He was a big asset to MTV and I had a mortgage to pay," she explained. She decided to come forward with her allegations in 2023 after watching a Channel 4 documentary about Brand.
During cross-examination, defense counsel suggested Brand may have been seeking consensual sex, a claim the victim refuted. "Why else would you drag someone into a toilet unless you want to assault them?" she asked the court. "Trying to force someone into a bathroom - That is not an invitation. His eyes looked manic. It was not consensual."
Earlier in the trial, Brand's former flatmate testified that the comedian had a "huge preoccupation" with sex. Jurors were also shown photographs of Brand performing in a satirical play mocking former Prime Minister Tony Blair during the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, where Brand is alleged to have raped another woman in 1999. The composer of that play recalled Brand "hurrying" to leave Bournemouth after the alleged assault.
Brand, who has previously denied the allegations, stated that he finds the trial to be an "extraordinary and stressful situation" but also "an exploration of truth and justice."