UK prosecution labels British actor Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his trial

British comedian and actor, Russell Brand behaved as a calculated sexual predator when he targeted six women over the course of a decade, a prosecutor stated on Wednesday as the actor-comedian’s trial opened at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault involving offenses alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.  

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told jurors that the six women, who do not know one another, were targeted in various locations, including hotel rooms, workplaces, a bar restroom, and his personal residence.  

The prosecution argued that during this period, Brand possessed an indiscriminate and voracious desire for sexual contact, treating women merely as a means to an end. While acknowledging that the defendant could be charming and humorous, Karmy-Jones described him as demanding, entitled, and manipulative.  

"He was ruthless, he was calculating, he was manipulative. And, the prosecution say, he was a sexual predator," Karmy-Jones told the jury.  

The court heard details regarding the individual allegations, which span from an incident in a Bournemouth hotel room in 1999 during a political party conference to later accusations involving professional workplaces and his home in 2009.

Prosecutors noted that the complainants did not report the incidents at the time due to feelings of guilt, shame, and fear of being blamed.  

Brand denies all charges and maintained in police interviews that any sexual activity he engaged in was entirely consensual.  

Arriving at court alongside his wife, Laura, Brand told reporters that he felt concerned yet hopeful regarding the legal process. The trial is expected to continue over several weeks as jurors hear evidence directly from the complainants.