Russell Brand Treated Me Like an Animal, Victim Tells Court

An alleged victim of comedian Russell Brand told a court that he treated her "like an animal" and "a piece of meat" during an encounter in 2009. The woman, who was 21 at the time, is one of six women who have accused Brand of sexual offenses. Brand denies all charges.

Giving evidence via recorded police interviews played at Southwark Crown Court, the woman stated she carried feelings of shame and guilt following the alleged attack. She had been a "massive Russell Brand fan" and "adored" the comedian when they first met at a gig.

Jurors heard that the woman agreed to meet Brand at his London home a few days after a prior encounter where she had been invited to join Brand and another woman backstage. On this later occasion, she understood they would have consensual sex.

However, the court heard that the consensual encounter turned into a rape when Brand allegedly forced her into anal sex without warning. The woman described the experience as leaving her "degraded" and struggling to breathe.

Months after the alleged incident, the woman said she confronted Brand via text after an unexpected meeting at the Edinburgh Festival. She recounted Brand's alleged response to her questioning his contact: "Because you are dirty and I want to push you further." She then texted him, "I think you've pushed me far enough. You treated me like an animal." Brand allegedly replied, "I'm sorry."

In the police interview, she told officers that Brand's messages brought back the feelings from the alleged rape. "I felt completely degraded and like I'd been treated like an animal, like a piece of meat," she stated. "It was horrible, it really upset me."

During cross-examination, Brand's barrister suggested the encounter was consensual and that the woman's judgment may have been "clouded" by her admiration for the comedian. The woman became emotional, insisting she had not consented to anal sex. "I didn't agree to do it," she told the court. "I made it very clear I was going to have consensual vaginal sex with a condom. I made it clear what was consensual and what wasn't."

She also spoke of carrying "guilt and shame" from the experience, noting that even the consensual part of the encounter made her uncomfortable due to prior requirements, such as showering and brushing her teeth.

Describing the alleged rape, the woman testified that Brand removed a condom and initiated anal sex without consent. She said she was in pain and repeatedly asked him to stop. After the assault, she alleged Brand told her to "clear up the mess that you've made" referring to soiled sheets. She recalled Brand then turning on the television and taking a phone call before leaving for a performance, leaving her to clean up.

Six women have accused Brand, 51, of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault. He denies the charges. The trial is ongoing.