Russell Brand accuser says he turned 'monster-like' before alleged rape

A woman who alleges Russell Brand raped her in a hotel room has described how he transformed from a "camp, friendly and effeminate" person to a "monster-like" individual before the alleged assault. The 51-year-old actor and comedian faces seven charges, including three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. The allegations, made by six female complainants, span a 10-year period between 1999 and 2009.

The woman, who was one of the first to come forward, told the jury at Southwark Crown Court that she met Brand in 1999 at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, where he was not yet famous. She alleges that he later raped her in a hotel room. The woman said she was left feeling "dirty" and afraid she may be pregnant in the aftermath of the alleged attack.

Before the alleged rape, the woman said Brand made her take photos of him with his top off, which were shown to the jury. The jury were also played a police interview with the woman recorded in 2023, when reporting the alleged crime, before she was called to the witness box on Thursday. The complainant said she and Brand had gone back to a hotel room, where she thought he was gay and didn't feel like he was "trying it on with her".

The woman recalled thinking "what on earth have I got into" when, she claims, a shirtless Brand made her take photos of him before the alleged attack. She was heard telling the police officer: "I'm reporting that Russell Brand did rape me. What I'm going to say now - then, I second guessed myself if it was rape because it was so normal. Sorry... he raped me basically - I know that happened. I remember him touching my breasts a lot - while kissing my neck."

Under cross-examination, Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC, put it to the complainant that when she first met Brand she welcomed his attention. The woman replied: "I welcomed his company, not what followed." She also said that she did not fall under his spell and did not find him attractive.

The woman became tearful a number of times while giving her evidence from the witness box. At one point the judge told the witness to "take a moment, catch your breath", after she became emotional. The trial continues and is expected to last for six weeks.