Image source, Getty Images By Sima Kotecha , Senior UK correspondent , Reporting from Southwark Crown Court and Steven McIntosh Published 28 October 2026 Warning - this report contains graphic content
Russell Brand has told the jury at his trial he believes sexual consent is "fundamental" and "more important than sex itself".
Brand, 51, is accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. He denies all the charges.
Giving evidence on Wednesday, Brand said the allegations had been "deeply traumatic" and had a "devastating" impact on him.
The media personality gave evidence as his defence case began at his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Asked whether consent was important to him, he told the court: "Consent is fundamental, essential, necessary and indeed in many ways more important than sex itself."
Brand told the court he had previously been "comfortable" allowing his fame to "facilitate sexual access, which I agree with you was wrong".
But asked by the prosecution whether he "needed and was prepared to go to any lengths", Brand replied: "Absolutely no."
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC suggested to Brand there were inconsistencies between his previous prepared police statement and what he told the jury.
"Ms Karmy-Jones, I completely agree," he replied. "Since these events occurred there's been escalating recollection.
"It's been a deeply traumatic episode of my life. I've focused on it at the expense of my marriage, my children and health.
"I recognise that this recollection includes small details that are inconsistent and I acknowledge that."
He said: "I do recognise I have been a very determined and focused man.
"With women, of course, which is the subject of my trial, I've been persuasive, seductive, begging and flirting, and dedicated a lot of my life to what seems now beyond reckless philandering, and idiocy."
He told the jury: "Regrettably I've had a lot of consensual sex, which I see has caused harm."
Image source, Julia Quenzler After Brand entered the witness box on Wednesday morning, defence barrister Ian Winter KC began by taking him through the indictment, asking him if he had committed the offences.
After each question, Brand replied "no" loudly towards the jury.
Brand was then asked about the Channel 4 documentary and the impact it had on his relationships with friends and colleagues. "It was devastating," Brand said.
Winter questioned whether Brand had been able to persuade any friend or acquaintance who might have been able to give evidence on his behalf to appear in court.
Brand replied: "I have not." Winter asked: "Will they touch you with a bargepole?" Brand said: "No."
Brand also claimed in court that he was told he could not stay with his son at Great Ormond Street hospital in London when the child was having open heart surgery, following the documentary and a newspaper investigation.
He told the court: "Due to material that had been published in the public eye they had to bar my attendance and presence."
Brand told the court: "My entire life has been consumed by these allegations," adding that he had "devoted myself to these matters".
Image source, Julia Quenzler Image caption, Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC cross examined Brand as the defence case got under way on Wednesday
Winter asked Brand if he reca…