Russell Brand trial

True crime · Heat 7.8 / 10 · 3 shows · 44m airtime

The UK trial of Russell Brand on sexual assault charges reached its halfway stage on October 27, 2026, with six complainants and three alleging rape. Justice Benathan reduced an indecent assault charge over an MTV employee's 2001 allegation to attempted indecent assault, citing insufficient evidence, leaving one of seven charges reduced. Complainant five's friend, ex-boyfriend and manager have testified that she told them she said no and was bleeding. Cross-examination of earlier complainants focused on whether their accounts changed after a Channel 4 documentary, and the prosecution's case is closing after three weeks rather than the expected eight or nine.

How 3 podcasts covered it

1. The Megyn Kelly Show, 2026-10-27 (1:00:56 to 1:25:19)
   Reports the judge cut the assault charge
   Walks through the six complainants and the cross-examination of the first three, arguing UK procedure favors alleged victims. Reports the judge cut the indecent assault charge to attempted indecent assault for insufficient evidence, and that the prosecution is closing after three weeks instead of eight or nine.
   New angle: The judge reduced the indecent assault charge to attempted indecent assault, citing insufficient evidence.
2. The Megyn Kelly Show, 2026-10-27 (1:28:18 to 1:43:31)
   Walks through complainant five's testimony
   Walks through complainant five's testimony and the defense cross: the backstage encounter, the disputed rimming detail, and the suggestion she agreed to anal sex and condom removal. Adds the corroborating witnesses - a friend, an ex-boyfriend and her manager - who testified to what she said at the time.
   New angle: Complainant five's friend, ex-boyfriend and manager testified she told them she said no and was bleeding.
3. No Filter With Zack Peter, 2026-10-28 (14:27 to 17:59)
   Reports the charge swap in Brand trial
   Reports the former assistant's testimony and the charge swap, framing the replacement count as a wash rather than a win for Brand. Stays at the level of the week's headlines, with the host unsure which country the case is in.
   New angle: A judge dropped Brand's indecent assault charge over an MTV employee's 2001 allegation and replaced it with attempted indecent assault.
4. Morning Wire, 2026-10-28 (4:54 to 5:59)
   Reports Brand's testimony and the reduced count
   First report on Brand's testimony: he denied all charges, admitted misusing his fame, and the judge reduced one of the seven counts for insufficient evidence.
   New angle: The judge reduced one of seven charges from indecent assault to attempted indecent assault for insufficient evidence.