A former Channel 4 employee testifying under lifelong anonymity in the ongoing criminal trial of Russell Brand told London’s Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday that she reported the comedian to network management in 2009 after he allegedly placed his head in her lap and demanded a massage. Giving evidence behind a protective screen as “Complainant 6” (C6), the witness recounted an encounter while employed by the UK broadcaster, noting that she had only met Brand briefly once prior. According to courtroom testimony, Brand exited a room where the two were present, returned moments later, laid his head directly on her lap, and instructed her to begin massaging him.
The complainant alleged feeling Brand’s breath against her body, testifying that she felt repulsed and attempted to position her hands defensively to maneuver him away. Following the incident, C6 reported the encounter to her direct line manager at Channel 4 and was told the complaint had been formally escalated. The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case against the 51-year-old actor and comedian, who faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault involving six complainants spanning events between 2006 and 2013. Brand has maintained his innocence, entered not-guilty pleas to all charges, and has consistently claimed that all sexual encounters during the period were consensual. During police interviews, Brand submitted prepared written statements stating he did not recall the names of the complainants. C6’s testimony follows that of another complainant earlier in the week, a former MTV staffer who testified that she initially refrained from reporting an alleged sexual assault out of concern that the entertainment industry would protect top-tier on-air talent and marginalize junior employees.
Brand’s defense counsel is expected to cross-examine C6 as proceedings continue before Southwark Crown Court.
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