Prosecution in court calls comedian Russell Brand a 'sexual predator'

British actor and comedian Russell Brand, the ex-husband of American singer Katy Perry, "was a ruthless sexual predator who sexually assaulted six women despite their protests," prosecutors said at the opening of his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

"Some of the women protested and said no, others had no way to respond to his harassment, but it didn't matter to the defendant," prosecutor Riel Karma-Jones said. Brand had an "indiscriminate and insatiable" desire for sexual contact, she said.

Brand faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent acts against six women. We are talking about episodes from 1999 to 2009.

The 51-year-old actor did not admit the charges. Before entering the court, Brand told reporters he felt "blessed." He is free on bail. The process is expected to last about six weeks.

The investigation began in September 2023 after the publication of The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4: then several women accused the artist of rape, sexual assault and emotional pressure. Brand was first charged in April 2025, then pleaded not guilty on all counts. In 2008, Russell Brand was left without a job for a joke on the radio station.

In early September, Doctor Who actor Noel Clarke was also accused of a "series" of harassment. A year earlier, Kanye West's former assistant accused him of sexual assault and human trafficking.