Russell Brand's Wife Testifies as Rape and Sexual Assault Trial Continues

Russell Brand's trial at Southwark Crown Court concerns allegations of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. The current charges are three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault, according to Express & Star.

The evidence has included accounts of Brand's sexual behaviour from people who knew him. His former personal assistant, Helen Berger, told police that his bad behaviour was "normalised and dismissed" by those around him, the Guardian reported on October 26.

On October 26, the court heard Berger's account of working for Brand. She described an "insane sexual appetite", according to the Independent. Deadline Hollywood reported that her statement described women frequently coming to his flat for sex, but said he "never seemed happy" afterwards.

On October 27, Mr Justice Bennathan dismissed an indecent assault charge and replaced it with attempted indecent assault, Variety Movies reported. The decision concerned that count, not the remaining rape and sexual assault charges.

The court also heard about Brand's account to police. He said he had led a "very promiscuous" life but denied forcing himself on women, according to the Independent, which reported his description of interactions with fans as "friendly, consensual and warm".

On October 28, Brand took the stand and denied all the allegations, CBS Top Stories reported. He acknowledged that he had wrongly used his fame to "facilitate" sexual activity and had "misused" his position "very selfishly", according to the Guardian. He also told the court that consent was "fundamental", World News CNA reported.

Brand said he had been unable to persuade anyone to testify on his behalf, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The prosecution challenged his account of abandonment, telling him he still had a platform with millions of followers, Deadline Hollywood reported.

On October 29, his wife gave evidence. Deadline Hollywood, naming her Laura Brand, reported that she described him as a caring and considerate lover during the period covered by the rape allegations. BBC News reported that she called him kind and a wonderful father, and told jurors she felt "very seen by him".

Brand continues to face seven charges. The replacement of the indecent assault count with attempted indecent assault did not end the case: he denies that charge as well as the three rape and three sexual assault counts, according to the Guardian.

His wife's appearance on Thursday followed his statement on Wednesday that he had not persuaded anyone to testify for him. Her evidence is the latest development in the supplied coverage, which reports no verdict on the remaining charges.

The unresolved issue is the jury's decision on the seven charges still before it. The supplied reports do not give a timetable for closing arguments, jury deliberations or verdicts.