Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial

“I felt like my innocence had been taken.”
A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.
Complainant three tells the jury Russell Brand sexually assaulted and raped her at a party in the early 2000s. She describes why she kept the full extent of the alleged attack secret from friends and family for years, and why she eventually reported it to police.
During cross-examination, the defence challenges her memory, questions alleged inconsistencies in her accounts and suggests the sexual encounter was consensual. She rejects that suggestion.
Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence, the defence's challenges and what the jury heard on day six of the trial.
Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Mark Burrows
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

“Wild-eyed maniac.”
The second complainant tells the jury Russell Brand grabbed her arm and tried to pull her into a toilet while she was working at MTV in the early 2000s.
She describes struggling to free herself, while the defence suggests Brand was seeking consensual sexual activity.
The court also hears from witnesses connected to the first complainant's allegation of rape in 1999, including two men who worked with Brand at the time.
Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault relating to six women. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence, the challenges from the defence and what the jury heard on day five of the trial.
A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.
Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Mark Burrows
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A warning this podcast contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.
“It made me feel so dirty.”
The first complainant gives emotional evidence about an alleged rape in 1999. The jury hears her video-recorded police interview before she faces cross-examination from Russell Brand's defence team.
The judge also intervenes during a tense exchange with the defence barrister.
Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty takes us through the evidence and the exchanges in court, explaining what the jury heard and the legal issues they must consider.
Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you what the jury hears as the trial unfolds.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Mark Burrows
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

The prosecution has opened its case against Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court, outlining allegations made by six women.
A warning this podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault.
Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports on what the jury heard, including claims of assaults in hotels, workplaces and private homes, and the prosecution's account of why some complainants came forward years after the alleged incidents.
The jury also heard evidence from Brand's former friend, who described his behaviour following an alleged incident in 1999. Under cross-examination, the defence challenged why aspects of his account had not been mentioned in earlier interviews with journalists or police.
Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, as Anoushka brings you what the jury hears and explains what it means.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Mark Burrows
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

The jury has been selected in Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court. Eight men and four women have been sworn in, along with a reserve juror.
But why were six prospective jurors dismissed?
Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty reports on the jury selection process and the judge's instructions to jurors about avoiding outside opinions, media coverage and online research. She also explains why alleged victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong anonymity and how journalists must avoid 'jigsaw identification' in their reporting.
With the prosecution due to open its case tomorrow, what can we expect from its opening statement? And why won't the defence be making one?
Follow Fame Under Fire: Russell Brand on Trial for daily coverage from Southwark Crown Court, as Anoushka brings you what the jury hears and explains what it means.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Digital Journalist: Jem Westgate
Production coordinator: Ellie Dover
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Mark Burrows
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts