A woman has testified at Southwark Crown Court that Russell Brand attempted to drag her into a men's toilet for a sexual encounter in 2001. She described the 51-year-old comedian as transforming into a "wild-eyed maniac" during the alleged incident.
The woman, who was working for MTV at the time, told the court she "wrenched" herself free. She stated, "I emerged relatively unscathed. He didn’t manage to rape me." She did not report the incident at the time, citing fear due to Brand's fame and importance to the TV channel.
Brand is facing three charges of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault against six women, with allegations spanning from 1999 to 2009. He denies all charges. The woman made a police complaint after seeing a 2023 documentary that accused Brand of sexual misconduct.
In cross-examination, the defence barrister suggested the woman had reassessed her memory after the documentary, a claim she rejected. The trial continues.