Russell Brand defence finishes closing argument as judge prepares to sum up
The defence has finished its closing argument in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial, arguing that none of the complainants resisted or tried to leave, and the judge will sum up tomorrow.
How it was covered
- Sky News carried 59% of the airtime and concentrated on legal arguments on consent, media contamination and the judge's summing up.
- ITV concentrated on family support, Brand's lifestyle and defence attacks on the 2023 documentary.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4 and GB News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
The defence in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault trial has finished its closing argument. Sky News reported that the defence told the jury that none of the complainants resisted, screamed or tried to leave. Brand, the actor and comedian, denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. ITV reported that the allegations involve six women and span ten years from 1999.
The defence argued that Brand had consensual sex with many women and asked whether the jury could be sure he raped just three of them. According to Sky News, Ian Winter KC told the jury: 'rapists do not leave their email addresses.'
The defence also attacked the 2023 documentary that aired allegations against Brand, saying it poisoned the well of justice. Sky News reported that the defence described the accusers as contaminated by the programme. ITV reported that the defence said it prompted the women to come forward only years later.
ITV reported that Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court with his wife, Laura, and her father, the golfer Bernard Gallacher. It also reported that the defence described Brand's highly promiscuous lifestyle as entirely lawful, however morally distasteful the jury might find it, and said there was no evidence he was a psychopath who rapes people and thinks it is normal.
ITV recalled the prosecution's closing speech last week. Riel Karmy-Jones KC said the women had realised they were not alone and had bravely come forward to tell the truth.
Sky News reported that the judge is due to sum up the case tomorrow and that the jury might go out around lunchtime.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Reported by all 2 channels | ||
| Ian Winter KC argued that 2023 Dispatches coverage and articles had contaminated Brand's accusers and prejudiced the trial. | ||
| The defence argued that a highly promiscuous lifestyle is lawful and questioned whether Brand raped only three of many consensual partners. | Reported by Sky News | |
| Only on one channel | ||
| Russell Brand attended court with his wife Laura and her father, the golfer Bernard Gallacher. | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The defence concluded its closing argument, and the judge was due to sum up the following day. | Not reported by ITV | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the legal mechanics of the defence closing, including Ian Winter KC's claim that the accusers were contaminated by the 2023 Dispatches programme. It carried his line that rapists do not leave email addresses and noted that the judge will sum up tomorrow, with the jury possibly going out around lunchtime. It did not mention the family attendance or the prosecution's own closing remarks.
- “none of the complainants in his trial resisted or screamed or even tried to leave”
- “rapists do not leave their email addresses”
- “poisoned the well of justice”
ITV1 framed the day around Brand's family support, reporting that his wife Laura and her father Bernard Gallacher were in court. It highlighted the defence's vivid language about his promiscuous lifestyle and the 2023 documentary, and it also recalled the prosecution's closing speech. Its account was more focused on courtroom atmosphere and character than Sky News's legal summary.
- “living a highly promiscuous life is entirely lawful, however morally distasteful you may find it”
- “disgusting, distasteful, immoral, who cares?”
- “there is no evidence he is some sort of psychopath who rapes people and thinks it's normal”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 19:10 GMT
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.