Brand lawyer: He is not a psychopath who rapes people

Russell Brand is not a “psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal”, the court heard as his defence barrister launched a scathing attack on the prosecution’s case. According to the Guardian, Ian Winter KC told jurors that the comedian is respectful when women say no and that allegations of sexual misconduct in 2023 had “poisoned the wells” of justice ^[1].

The Daily Mail reported that Winter questioned why alleged victims did not “kick and scream” more when they were allegedly attacked ^[2]. He asked the jury to consider if it was credible that the 51-year-old, who had an “immense amount of sex”, raped only three women over a ten-year period. Winter argued that living a “highly promiscuous life is entirely lawful however morally distasteful you may find it”.

Winter began his closing speech by quoting theologian John Henry Newman, insisting that the reporting by Channel 4 Dispatches and the Times had influenced women to come forward later. He claimed this created “monstrous delays” in the women reporting to police ^[1]. The prosecutor, Riel Karmy-Jones KC, had previously denied that the 2023 reporting had a “subliminal hold” on the minds of the six accusers.

The defence highlighted that Brand left his email address or phone number with women after encounters, suggesting he was seeking “approbation and adoration” rather than committing crimes. “Rapists do not leave their email address,” Winter told the court ^[3]. He further argued that Brand’s “normal” behaviour after the alleged incidents indicated he genuinely believed the women were consenting.

Brand, who was joined in the courtroom by his wife Laura and her father, the golfer Bernard Gallacher, denies all charges. These include three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault ^[2]. The trial continues at Southwark Crown Court.