{
  "id": 16914025,
  "title": "Russell Brand Takes Stand In Rape Trial — Says People Have Abandoned Him",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/russell-brand-takes-stand-in-rape-trial-says-people-have-abandoned-him",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-28T14:58:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Rolling Stone",
    "slug": "rolling-stone",
    "url": "https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/russell-brand-testimony-rape-trial-1235649140/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Russell Brand took the stand at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday as the first witness for his defense. Appearing in a blazer and open white shirt, the former actor and comedian stated that his entire life has been consumed by the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges involving rape, sexual assault, or attempted indecent assault.\n\nBrand denies all accusations and maintains that his sexual encounters were consensual, despite multiple women accusing him of assault spanning a decade. During his testimony, he revealed that he has not been able to persuade anyone to testify on his behalf.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NYT Arts",
        "title": "Russell Brand Testifies in Rape Trial for First Time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/russell-brand-testifies-in-rape-trial-for-first-time",
        "published": "2026-10-28T10:16:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Russell Brand Takes the Stand in Rape Trial and Reveals No One Agreed to Testify on His Behalf: ‘My Entire Life Has Been Consumed by These Allegations’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/russell-brand-takes-the-stand-in-rape-trial-and-reveals-no-one-agreed",
        "published": "2026-10-28T10:38:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}