‘I couldn’t breathe’: First complainant alleges Russell Brand posed for photos before rape

A woman has told a UK court of how she allegedly “couldn’t breathe” as she was raped by actor and comedian Russell Brand in a hotel room in 1999.

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

The charges involve six women and alleged offences between 1999 and 2009.

Brand denies all the charges.

In police interviews, he denied ever engaging in non-consensual sexual activity. 

On the second day of Brand’s trial at Southwark Crown Court, jurors were played a recording of a police interview with the woman, who accused Brand of raping her after an event at a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999, the Guardian reports.

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The woman alleged he suddenly became “monster-like”, demanding she take photographs of him, before forcing himself on top of her and raping her.

“He was really heavy,” she said.

“I couldn’t struggle. I couldn’t breathe. I know he raped me, I know I said: ‘No, no, I don’t want this’,” she alleged.

The woman told the court when she had been speaking to Brand earlier in the evening after his show she hadn’t felt threatened, and had assumed the “friendly and effeminate” performer was gay.

She told the court they had gone back to her hotel room to continue a conversation about their work, when his demeanour changed.

“I took pictures of him on my camera – he made me take them,” she said.

“I remember feeling: ‘What on earth have I got myself into?’”

She said Brand’s body felt “snake-like and disgusting” and his tongue was “horrible” and lizard-like.

“He was just dark and arrogant and performing – he was scary, he was demanding,” she said.

He was the centre of the show, it was like it was back on stage – he wasn’t the [same] person I was chatting to.”

The jury is expected to hear testimony all six complainants across the 10-week trial.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones on Wednesday told the jury that none of the alleged victims reported the alleged assaults at the time, due to guilt, shame and concern that they would be blamed.

They individually went to police after a 2023 television program broadcast anonymous claims against Brand, she said.

Brand is on bail and arrived at court on Wednesday to a crowd of photographers and video journalists. He said he felt “blessed”.

“I feel, of course, concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved,” Brand said.

“That’s my prayer.”

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Known for risque stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s, hosting television programs and his own BBC radio show.

He appeared in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry.

In recent years, he has moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion.

Those making sexual assault accusations have the right to anonymity under British law.

– reported with Associated Press

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).