Closing arguments began Friday in the U.K. rape trial of Russell Brand, who faces multiple charges stemming from accusations by six women.
The prosecutors’ closing argument noted that none of the women who accused Brand of rape have attempted to profit or seek “the limelight,” but rather seek justice, Sky News reported.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC, quoting the testimony of one of the alleged victims, said during closing arguments, “[Brand] didn’t listen when I said no, he didn’t listen, he didn’t care… In the rape cases he just kept on going until he achieved his ultimate aim and ejaculated.”
Karmy-Jones also quoted passages from Brand’s own autobiography where the actor wrote, “Now if I want something – whether it’s a job or a woman – I will determinedly, resolutely, remove anything that’s in the way, until I possess the object of my desire.” The prosecutor then added that Brand viewed consent as “just an obstacle to be removed, or perhaps to ignore.”
Brand’s wife Laura took the stand in defense of her husband Thursday, where she testified that Russell is “a wonderful father to our children, and an amazing, attentive husband.” Karmy-Jones acknowledged Laura Brand’s testimony, but added, “He may now be a completely different person to the man he was between 1999 and 2009,” the years in which the rapes and sexual assaults occurred.
“Women as a whole were disposable to him, they didn’t matter, he didn’t even need to know their names,” Karmy-Jones said as the prosecutors’ closing arguments ended. “When you take the time to properly analyze the evidence, [I believe] you will be satisfied that the six complainants are telling the truth.”
Brand is facing seven charges related to allegations made by six women. He has pleaded not guilty to all of them, and has been out on conditional bail since the charges were brought.
Prosecutors first filed five charges — two counts of rape, one of indecent exposure, and two of sexual assault — against Brand in April 2025. Prosecutors said those alleged incidents occurred between 1995 and 2005. In December 2025, prosecutors brought two more charges against Brand, one of rape, and another of sexual assault. Those incidents allegedly occurred in 2009.
Prior to closing arguments, the judge overseeing the trial told the 12 jurors — eight men and four women — that he would only accept unanimous verdicts on the charges. “You may have heard about majority verdicts, but if so, put them out of your mind,” the judge cautioned the jurors. Deliberations are expected to begin early next week.
