Sugira Nsabimana Aime Christian
A woman accusing British comedian and actor Russell Brand of rape has told a London court that his behaviour changed dramatically after they entered a hotel room in 1999, describing him as becoming “monster-like”.
The woman gave evidence at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, as Brand faces seven charges involving six women. The charges include three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, relating to alleged offences between 1999 and 2009.
Brand, 51, denies all the charges and has pleaded not guilty. His defence maintains that any sexual activity was consensual.
According to reports by several media outlets, including NPR, The Roys Report and The Washington Post, the complainant told the court that she first met Brand at a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999.
She said she initially considered him friendly, intelligent and harmless, and believed she was safe in his company.
However, she alleged that his behaviour changed when they returned to a hotel room.
“He just changed suddenly from this… camp, friendly and effeminate to monster-like,” she told the court.
The woman alleged that Brand became intimidating and left her feeling threatened. She said she was left crying and feeling ashamed after the incident.
She also told the jury that she delayed reporting the allegation because she feared the consequences for her professional career and worried that people would not believe her.
“I hate that I blamed myself, I shouldn’t have to blame myself,” she told the court.
The complainant further said she had felt unable to leave the hotel room because she had no phone, no reception and did not clearly understand where she was.
During cross-examination, Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, questioned the woman about her decision to accompany Brand to the hotel room and her delay in reporting the alleged offence.
The defence suggested that she had welcomed Brand’s attention and wanted to spend more time with him.
The woman rejected that interpretation, saying she had welcomed his company but not the alleged conduct that followed. She also disputed the suggestion that she had been attracted to him.
The jury will consider the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence before reaching a verdict.
Russell is a Brand rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a comedian and television and radio presenter, including through Big Brother’s Big Mouth. He later appeared in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
In recent years, he has focused on podcasting and online media.
The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks. Brand remains presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
Daniel Ngendahimana
