Russell Brand called ‘ruthless’ sexual predator as rape trial opens

LONDON — Russell Brand behaved like a “ruthless” sexual predator when he assaulted six women over the course of a decade, a prosecutor said Wednesday as she opened the rape and sexual assault case against the actor-comedian.

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The charges relate to six women and alleged offenses between 1999 and 2009.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones told jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London that the six women, who did not know each other, were attacked in “a hotel room, at their place of work, in a toilet cubicle in a bar and at (Brand’s) home address.” »

She said that at the time, Brand had a “blind and voracious” desire for sexual contact and that “women were just a means to an end.”

“He was ruthless, calculating, manipulative. And, according to the prosecution, he was a sexual predator,” Karmy-Jones said.

Brand is free on bail and arrived in court Wednesday before a crowd of photographers and video journalists. He said he felt “blessed.”

“I of course feel worried but I hope this process results in good outcomes for everyone involved,” Brand said. “It’s my prayer.”

Known for his risky stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s, hosting television programs and his own radio show on the BBC. He has appeared in Hollywood films including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.”

In recent years, he moved away from mainstream media, moved to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion.

The Associated Press does not name victims of alleged sexual violence and British law protects their identities from the media for life.