{
  "id": 14446326,
  "title": "UK prosecutor calls Russell Brand ruthless predator as rape trial begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/uk-prosecutor-calls-russell-brand-ruthless-predator-as-rape-trial-14446326",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T12:32:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/uk-prosecutor-calls-russell-brand-ruthless-predator-as-rape-trial-begins/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The rape and sexual assault trial of British comedian Russell Brand has begun at Southwark Crown Court in London. Brand, 51, faces seven sexual offence charges involving six women, including allegations of indecent assault. He denies all of the alleged offences.\n\nDuring the trial, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told the jury that Brand was a \"ruthless, calculated and manipulative\" sexual predator who targeted women for sex. Karmy-Jones stated that the alleged offences occurred between 1999 and 2009 and described Brand's desire for sexual contact as \"indiscriminate and voracious.\" The prosecution claims Brand used his charm and comic talents to get what he wanted but was also demanding and entitled.\n\nFree Malaysia Today reports that Brand and his wife, Laura, were seen leaving the court following jury selection. The jury consists of eight men and four women.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Prosecutors to open case against Brand in rape trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/prosecutors-to-open-case-against-brand-in-rape-trial",
        "published": "2026-10-14T06:29:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/prosecution-labels-russell-brand-a-ruthless-sexual-predator-at",
        "published": "2026-10-14T09:48:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Russell Brand behaved as a ‘ruthless’ sexual predator, prosecutors allege",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/russell-brand-behaved-as-a-ruthless-sexual-predator-prosecutors-allege",
        "published": "2026-10-14T11:34:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Russell Brand behaved as a ‘ruthless’ sexual predator, prosecutors allege",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/russell-brand-behaved-as-a-ruthless-sexual-predator-prosecutors-allege-14437290",
        "published": "2026-10-14T11:34:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "UK prosecutor tells jury Russell Brand a ‘sexual predator’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/uk-prosecutor-tells-jury-russell-brand-a-sexual-predator",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:04:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "UK prosecutor calls Russell Brand ruthless predator as rape trial begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/uk-prosecutor-calls-russell-brand-ruthless-predator-as-rape-trial",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:22:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Russell Brand was a 'sexual predator', says prosecution as rape trial begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/russell-brand-was-a-sexual-predator-says-prosecution-as-rape-trial",
        "published": "2026-10-14T13:42:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}