Brand 'treated women poorly', says former assistant

Helen Berger, a former assistant to comedian Russell Brand, has testified in court that she witnessed the star mistreating women during their collaboration from 2006 to 2007. Brand was working on MTV, Channel 4, BBC, writing a book, and performing stand-up during this period. Berger alleged that Brand pursued random women online to satisfy his "insane sexual appetite," and that sex often left him depressed.

In her statement to Brand's rape and sexual assault trial, Berger described the comedian as someone who treated women poorly and accused those around him of normalizing such behavior. She explained that despite her experience working with other celebrities, she found Brand's behavior to be on a different level.

Berger stated that Brand had an insatiable sexual appetite and would ask about having sex when they were on tight deadlines. She recounted an instance where Brand conducted an interview with actress Sadie Frost while dressed only in his pants and an open robe. When Berger visited Brand's flat, she noted that he was often in his underwear, even walking around with no shirt on.

Regarding an encounter with actress Sadie Frost, Berger testified that Brand conducted the interview with him while dressed in his underwear, without a shirt, and wearing an open robe. She also recalled Brand having an interview with a female celebrity in his bed, where she saw a woman asleep on the bed while Brand was half-dressed.

Berger revealed that part of her job was to review Brand's press coverage, including interviews where he discussed his sexual encounters and desires. She said that after each sexual encounter, Brand never seemed happy and was more likely to be depressed.

During her testimony, Berger mentioned that she was instructed to gather phone numbers from female fans for Brand. However, she felt uncomfortable doing so and informed Brand that she would no longer do it. She also observed Brand dismissing a woman at a party when he realized she was in a relationship, abruptly turning away from her.

Ultimately, Berger decided to quit her job after nine months, overwhelmed by the stress and exhaustion caused by working with Brand.