Brand trial hears woman’s account of messages after alleged rape

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court heard recorded police interviews on Wednesday, 21 October, in which a woman described exchanging messages with Russell Brand months after she says he raped her at his home in 2009. She said she had agreed to vaginal sex but not anal sex; Brand’s defence says the sexual activity was consensual. [1] [2]

The woman recalled receiving an unexpected message from Brand saying he wanted to “push” her further. When she asked why he was contacting her, she said he replied: “Because you’re dirty and I want to push you further.” She said she later responded: “I think you’ve pushed me far enough, you treated me like an animal.” According to her account, he replied: “I’m sorry.” [1]

The prosecution had described the alleged exchange in its opening statement on 14 October. Wednesday’s hearing put the woman’s account before jurors in her recorded interview. [1] [4]

Sky News reported that, in a second police interview, she was asked why she had not mentioned the later meeting and messages in her first. She said she did not know why, and that she no longer had the same phone. [2]

Cross-examining her, Brand’s lawyer Ian Winter KC put it to her that she had consented to anal sex. “I did not agree to do that,” she replied. He also questioned why she had not written “you raped me” in her response to the alleged messages. She objected that he was putting words in her mouth. [2]

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault involving six women. The alleged offences span 1999 to 2009. The trial continues. [1] [4]