Brand claims friends 'wouldn't touch him with barge pole' after rape allegations

Brand has spoken before the court for the first time(Image: Getty Images)

Brand claims friends 'wouldn't touch him with barge pole' after rape allegations

TL;DR

  • Russell Brand is on trial for three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault.
  • The alleged offences span 10 years, between 1999 and 2009, against six women.
  • Brand denies all charges and stated that friends now avoid him due to the accusations.
  • He testified that the allegations have consumed his life and he has been unable to secure defense witnesses.
  • Brand also recounted being banned from Great Ormond Street Hospital to see his sick son, due to the published material about the allegations.
  • He confirmed being 'really famous' by 2009 and his marriage to Katy Perry, which he described as bringing 'staggering fame'.