Four the Record: Russell Brand on Trial

Today Russell Brand was sentenced to ten years and six months in prison, after he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault last week. The disgraced comedian must serve two-thirds of this sentence before he will be eligible for parole. Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson talks to Sachelle Connor about what it was like to be in the room, when Brand heard his prison term.

Russell Brand has spent his first night in a prison cell after the jury of eight men and four women found him unanimously guilty of one rape and three sexual assaults. For years, Russell Brand was one of Britain's biggest comedy stars. But behind the scenes, many say his behaviour was an open secret. Shappi Khorsandi worked with Brand in the early stages of his career. She speaks to Minnie Stephenson about what she witnessed, her understanding of his behaviour towards women, and the wider culture of the comedy industry at the time. She also talks to Minnie about her own experience of sexual assault - not by Russell Brand - while working in comedy. Brand faced seven charges - including three of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault - and he denied them all. He was found guilty of one rape and three sexual assaults. Brand has always said he has only had consensual sex.

Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a 4 week-long trial. The jury took eight hours and 30 minutes to deliberate on a verdict. Mr Justice Bennathan ruled that Brand must be remanded into custody until sentencing on Monday, and told him to expect a prison sentence of 'some length'. Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson talks to Sachelle Connor about the verdict, how Russell Brand reacted in the court room – and what comes next.

It's Day 16 of Russell Brand's rape trial in London; the final day of proceedings before the jury begins its deliberations. In this episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson is joined by producer Sachelle Connor to break down what the jury heard in court today. They also look back at the trial as a whole, examining some of its key moments and the evidence heard over the past 16 days. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all charges. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault and rape.

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. It's day 15 and Brand's defence barrister Ian Winter KC delivered his closing speech to the court. He said a Channel 4 documentary and stories published in the Times and Sunday Times that made allegations about Brand in 2023, "poisoned the well of justice" by prompting the accusers in this case to come forward. In this episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson breaks down everything the jury heard today with producer Sachelle Connor. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all charges.

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. It's day 14 of Russell Brand's rape trial in London and today his defence team finished setting out their case and the prosecution barrister presented her closing arguments. Ms Riel Karmy-Jones told the court that Brand saw one accuser, Woman E, as: "just a hole, a number to add to his 5,000 notches that he was marking up". She also described his alleged victims as, 'the amusements in his playground of orgasms'. Ms Karmy-Jones also told the court: “Six women who have nothing to gain, who have not sought the limelight, who have not looked out for some form of publicity, who have not taken part in a documentary, not made claims for compensation. In this episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson breaks down everything the jury heard today with producer Sachelle Connor. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all charges.

It's day 13 of Russell Brand's rape trial in London and his wife, Laura Brand, took the stand to testify in his defence. In this episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to Sachelle Connor about what the jury heard from Laura Brand in Southwark Crown Court. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all charges.

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of allegations of rape and sexual assault. Russell Brand gave evidence in court for the first time on day 12 of his rape trial. He told the court that allegations against him had had a “devastating” impact on his life, and that no one had agreed to give evidence on his behalf during the trial. Brand also told the court that he had been prevented from staying with his son at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London while the child underwent open-heart surgery, following the release of Channel 4's Dispatches documentary and the Times' newspaper investigation in 2023. In this episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to Sachelle Connor about what the jury heard today, as the defence began their arguments. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

On day 11 of Russell Brand's trial the prosecution delivered the final part of its case, before the jury heard the details of Brand's police interviews. In this episode our Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson and producer Sachelle Connor recap what happened at Southwark Crown Court today – including the Judge's decision to change the indecent assault charge against Russell Brand into an attempted indecent assault. Mr Justice Bennathan told jurors on Tuesday morning they should find Brand not guilty of the indecent assault allegation after he had concluded “there was insufficient evidence” to support the charge. He also told the jury that a charge of attempted indecent assault, relating to the same incident in 2001, has now been added to the indictment. The change relates to an allegation that Brand grabbed a female MTV worker by the arm and tried to drag her into a toilet. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the…

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. On day 10 of Russell Brand's trial the jury heard from more witnesses for the prosecution, including his former personal assistant. In her written statement she said working for Brand was one of the hardest jobs she's ever had, and that Brand had an 'insane sexual appetite'. In today’s episode of the Russell Brand on Trial podcast, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to producer Holly Snelling about the day's events at Southwark Crown Court and what the jury heard. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of rape and sexual assault. Russell Brand’s rape trial in London has concluded its second week. The jury isn’t sitting today, so Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our producer Sachelle Connor, about what the court has heard over the past two weeks. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. It's day 9 of Russell Brand's rape trial in London, and today the court heard from several witnesses relating to a woman who alleges she was anally raped by Russell Brand in 2009. A statement from the accuser's mother was read in court, in which she said 'I just remember her saying "he raped me"' and that 'she was very worried about HIV'. A friend of the alleged victim also told the court that the woman looked 'terrible' and 'ashen' when she revealed what allegedly happened at Brand’s home. The witness said she asked her friend if she had consented and her friend said ‘no, no, I did not consent to that.' Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our producer Sachelle Connor about all the details from inside the courtroom and what the jury heard. Want to get in touch?…

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. It's day 8 of the Russell Brand trial and the court heard the remaining testimony from Woman E who said she had been treated "like a piece of meat". The alleged victim was cross-examined by Brand's barrister, and the court heard about a text exchange between her and Brand in which he said "I'm sorry". Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our producer Sachelle Connor about all the details from inside the courtroom and what the jury heard. Want to get in touch? Email brandpodcast@channel4.com

Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault. It's day seven of Russell Brand's rape trial at Southwark Crown Court, and the testimonies of three more alleged victims were heard in court. The details were extremely graphic. One woman alleges that after she had consensual vaginal sex with Brand at his home he then anally raped her. She says she told Brand to stop, 'a few times quietly and then really loudly'. Another woman alleges that Brand groped and kissed her in what she described as a 'violent' sexual assault while she was working at a radio station. She described Brand as 'rough', 'violent' and 'persistent'. A third woman accuses Brand of sexually assaulting her during filming for a Channel 4 project in 2009. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our producer Holly Snelling about all the details from inside the courtroom and what the jury heard. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of…

It's day six of Russell Brand's rape trial in London and a third alleged victim took to the stand: she claimed Russell Brand was like a 'clown' with a 'weird look on his face', before dragging her into a toilet and orally raping her. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our journalist Sachelle Connor about all the details from inside the courtroom and what the jury heard. Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

It's day 5 of Russell Brand's rape trial in London and the second alleged victim took to the stand, along with other witnesses', including his former friend and flatmate Andrew Dobson. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. Dobson described him as 'vibrant' and 'lively'; but also 'very egotistical' and 'erratic' - whilst the second alleged victim said Russell Brand turned into a 'wide-eyed maniac' before attempting to drag her into a toilet at MTV. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our journalist Sachelle Connor about all the details from inside the courtroom and what the jury heard today. Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

Today, the court heard testimony from the first alleged victim in Russell Brand’s rape trial at Southwark Crown Court. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. The woman told the court that Brand allegedly raped her after asking her to take photographs of him “semi-nude”. She also described how, before the alleged rape, Brand acted “like Basil Fawlty when he does his goose steps”. In today’s episode, Culture Correspondent Minnie Stephenson speaks to our producer Sachelle Connor about the testimony heard in court and the details that emerged during proceedings. Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of alleged sexual assault.

On day 3 of Russell Brand's trial, the prosecution described him as 'ruthless', 'calculating', 'manipulative' and a 'sexual predator'. For the first time the jury heard accounts of the women who are accusing Brand of some of the most serious crimes. In this episode Minnie Stephenson and Sachelle Connor outline the seven charges against him, in relation to six women. Brand strenuously denies all the charges.

Day two of Russell Brand’s trial: what happened in court, and how does jury selection work? Minnie Stephenson speaks to producer Sachelle Connor about the latest from the courtroom, while jury expert Professor Cheryl Thomas KC breaks down how juries are selected in the UK and how it's different from the US. Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all charges.

Russell Brand’s trial began in London today. He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He denies all the charges. So, what happened in court on day one? What was the atmosphere like as Brand arrived? And how will the jury be selected? In this episode, Minnie Stephenson speaks to producer Sachelle Connor about what happened inside the courtroom, while criminal barrister Eleanor Laws KC explains how the prosecution and defence will build and argue their cases.

Russell Brand's rape trial started today in London - but who is the man behind the headlines and how did he reach such monumental levels of success in the 2000s? In this podcast, Minnie Stephenson talks to journalist and broadcaster Sam Delaney about Russell Brand’s career, his rise to fame and the story behind one of the most recognisable and controversial figures in British entertainment. Russell Brand has been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He strenuously denies all charges.

Russell Brand will be on trial from Monday: he’s been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He strenuously denies all charges. But how does the UK justice system ensure a fair trial when the defendant is one of the UK’s most recognisable public figures? What does the prosecution have to prove in a case of this nature? And what protections are available to witnesses? In this episode, Minnie Stephenson speaks to Sir Max Hill KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions and one of Britain’s most experienced criminal barristers, about how a trial like this unfolds. This is the first episode of our daily podcast bringing you the evidence and legal context from the courtroom as the trial unfolds.

Russell Brand’s rape trial is due to start on 12 October. He's been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He strenuously denies all charges.So, what happens when fame and public opinion collide with the evidence put before the court?What will the prosecution allege? What will the defence argue? And who will take to the stand?Our Culture Correspondent Minnie will be in court every day during the trial, and she’ll bring you the latest updates on the case on our new podcast, Four the Record: Russell Brand on trial.