World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Russell Brand's former assistant testifies in rape and assault trial
A former assistant to Russell Brand told a London court he asked her to get female fans’ phone numbers when she began working for him in 2006.
Helen Berger said she felt uncomfortable and later told him she would not do it again.
She described women visiting Brand’s home and said people around him treated his behaviour as normal, but stressed that she never witnessed anything unlawful.
Brand faces seven charges involving six women, based on allegations spanning 1999 to 2009.
He denies all the charges and says any sexual activity was consensual.
The trial is taking place at Southwark Crown Court, where prosecutors are due to finish presenting their case on Tuesday morning.
The defence is expected to begin after that, and another account says Brand is expected to testify.
Russell Brand’s former personal assistant told a court she was asked to obtain female fans’ phone numbers for him.
Helen Berger said she worked closely with Brand from June 2006 to February 2007 and eventually left because she was “sick of him.”
She described women coming to Brand’s home and dressing rooms, but said she never witnessed him doing anything against the law.
Brand denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
The allegations were made by six women and span 1999 to 2009.
- Who
- Russell Brand and his former assistant Helen Berger. Brand is accused by six women.
- What
- Berger gave evidence about her time working for Brand. He faces charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault, which he denies.
- When
- Berger worked for Brand from June 2006 to February 2007. Her written statement was read to court on 26 October 2026.
- Where
- Southwark Crown Court, London.
- Why
- Berger’s evidence forms part of the prosecution case against Brand. The reasons for the alleged offences are not stated.
The prosecution
Russell Brand’s defence
Allegations
The prosecution
Six women have made allegations spanning 1999 to 2009, leading to charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.
Russell Brand’s defence
Brand denies the charges and says the sexual activity was consensual.
Interpretation of accounts
The prosecution
Berger described behaviour she said was normalised by people around Brand, while noting she did not witness anything against the law.
Russell Brand’s defence
The defence says accounts have been twisted in the light of a 2023 TV documentary that made allegations of sexual abuse.
The allegations made by six women are said to span this 10-year period.
Berger worked closely with Brand as his personal assistant.
Berger’s statement was read to Southwark Crown Court.
The prosecution was due to finish and Brand’s defence was expected to begin.
- Charges
- Three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault
- Complainants
- Six women
- Allegation period
- 1999–2009
- Berger’s employment
- June 2006–February 2007
- Court
- Southwark Crown Court, London
3 sources
What people are saying
felt uncomfortable
I never witnessed anything against the law
Everyone normalizing Russell Brand’s behavior made me think, ‘I guess this is just the way it is here.’
any sexual activity was consensual