The trial of Russell Brand, the well-known British comedian and actor, on charges of rape and sexual assault has begun in London. Prosecutor Karmy-Jones, addressing the jury, characterised Brand's behaviour, calling him 'ruthless, calculated and manipulative'. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
According to Karmy-Jones, the allegations 'punctuate' 10 years of Brand's life when 'his career was beginning to flourish'. 'His public profile was taking off as he was progressing from doing gigs as a standup comedian at pubs and clubs to a TV presenter, an actor and Hollywood movie star,' she told jurors.
She added that the circumstances of the alleged offences were 'as wide and as varied as the defendant's career', and that the offending took place in a number of locations including a hotel room, workplaces, a toilet cubicle in a bar and at his home address.
Continuing her opening statement, Karmy-Jones said: 'Some of the women involved protested and said no, others had no opportunity to react to his advances but it mattered not to the defendant. Regardless of who they were and what they said or did, Russell Brand was not deterred. His desire, strong desire for some form of sexual contact, was indiscriminate and voracious. He would be nice when he wanted to be, funny – undoubtedly – charming, likable even – when he wanted something in return – but then demanding, entitled, a flirt with a huge sexual appetite, childlike in his expectation that his every desire should be met. He was ruthless, calculated and manipulative, and, the prosecution say, a sexual predator.'
The trial continues.