Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inTed Hennessey & Georgia BatesTuesday 03 November 2026 04:06 GMTRussell Brand and wife Laura Brand arrive at court as trial continuesRussell Brand’s defence barrister, Ian Winter KC, delivered his closing speech at Southwark Crown Court, where the 51-year-old comedian denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault against six women between 1999 and 2009.Mr Winter KC argued that 2023 reporting by Channel 4, The Times, and The Sunday Times had "poisoned the well of justice", claiming the complainants were contaminated by media coverage rather than coming forward independently.The defence highlighted the "monstrous" delay of up to 24 years in bringing the allegations, telling the jury that the passage of time created a "quagmire of doubt" and rendered accurate recollections impossible.Addressing specific claims, Mr Winter stated that Brand genuinely believed the sexual encounters were consensual, pointing out that complainants described his behaviour as normal during and after the incidents.The barrister told jurors that public opinion had been corrupted following the 2023 allegations, which had a devastating impact on Brand, as the trial continues at Southwark Crown Court.In fullRussell Brand's lawyer tells court that 2023 media allegations 'poisoned the well of justice'More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in