Comedian Russell Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, facing rape and sexual assault charges. He denies the allegations. A woman known as Ms E told the court that Brand raped her at his Hampstead home after they met at a 2009 show. She said the sex began consensually but became non-consensual. Brand's barrister challenged her account and argued she had consented. The defence is expected to open its case next week.
Five people have been indicted in Taiwan over an alleged plot to run down comedian Huang Yi-Hao with a car after his shows mocked the Chinese government. Prosecutors in New Taipei say the defendants were hired by a Chinese person and tracked Huang from July, planning to break his limbs so he could not perform. Huang was struck by a car while riding his scooter home last month, leaving him with a bruised pelvis. Two defendants have admitted involvement in the plan. Huang said he had criticised Xi for about two and a half minutes.
A woman who is one of six complainants has told a London court that Russell Brand became aggressive when he tried to pull her into a toilet at her workplace. She said the British comedian, who denies all allegations, changed from affable to frantic in the incident at MTV Europe in 2001, lasting around 20 seconds. She said she pulled free and did not report it at the time. Brand's lawyer suggested the episode was brief and minor, and that she had refused and he left.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Actor and comedian Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday for the second day of his rape and sexual assault trial. He denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault, made by six women. The allegations span 1999 to 2009. Jury selection began on Monday, and the prosecution is expected to open its case on Wednesday morning. The trial is expected to last six weeks.
Jury selection has taken place for the trial of comedian Russell Brand at Southwark Crown Court in London. Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, relating to six women between 1999 and 2009. He has denied all the accusations. The judge told potential jurors not to research the case, and excluded those who had seen a documentary or read an article about the allegations. The trial is expected to last about six weeks, with prosecutors opening their case later in the week.
Perth comedian Judith Lucy has shared a candid photo from a hospital bed after learning she would need a mastectomy for breast cancer. The 58-year-old posted the image on Instagram on Saturday, thanking fans for their support. She urged women to keep up with regular mammograms, saying the cancer was found through a BreastScreen Australia test. Lucy said her treatment plan changed from a lumpectomy to a mastectomy after more cancer was found. She described the cancer as relatively early stage and non-aggressive.
