Russell Brand rape accuser 'appalled' by MTV rehire

A woman told Southwark Crown Court that she was "appalled" when MTV rehired Russell Brand as a presenter in approximately 2006, several years after she alleges he raped her in a Soho bar toilet. The alleged incident occurred in 2004. Russell Brand denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault.

The woman, who was working for MTV at the time of the alleged attack, told police she was "absolutely appalled" by the decision to rehire Brand. She stated that whenever he was in the building, she would avoid him and any associated events. She recalled seeing him in the distance on a few occasions, believing he would not recognise her.

Allegations of Assault

The court heard that Brand, now 51, is accused of groping the woman's breasts after a brief conversation at a party at the Nordic Bar in Soho. The prosecution alleges he then dragged her into a toilet cubicle and raped her. The woman recounted telling a producer friend a few days after the incident that Brand was "a sexual predator".

In a recorded police interview played to the court, the woman stated she told her friend that Brand had attempted to orally rape her. She described the encounter as an attempt at sexual assault. She also mentioned feeling "numb" and "ashamed" after the alleged attack, feeling she had been left "a victim in my head".

She explained that she initially decided not to report the incident to the police at the time, believing it would be "my word against his" and attributing it to "laddish culture times". She also stated she wanted to change the narrative for herself to avoid feeling like a victim and to prevent judgment from others.

Decision to Report

The woman told police she decided to come forward nearly 20 years later after seeing a 2023 documentary detailing allegations against Brand. She expressed a desire to "help support all these other women that have been brave enough to come forward", feeling a strong internal urge to speak out.

Brand's defence is expected to argue that sexual encounters have been "reimagined" in recent years. The trial at Southwark Crown Court is ongoing.