Judge Reduces Charge Against Russell Brand
A judge reduced one charge against Russell Brand to attempted indecent assault; his trial continues.
October 28, 2026 · Updated Oct 28, 11:34am ET
Rolling StoneRussell Brand Takes Stand In Rape Trial -- Says People Have Abandoned Him
CBS NewsRussell Brand takes the stand at his rape and sexual assault trial
The Post MillennialOne charge against Russell Brand reduced by London judge in UK sex case
UPIRussell Brand says no one would testify on his behalf in rape trial
New York PostRussell Brand says rape allegations had ‘devastating’ impact on his life in court testimony
ABC NewsRussell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at rape and sex assault trial
Associated PressRussell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at his rape and sex assault trial
BBC NewsRussell Brand says allegations had devastating impact on him
NBC NewsRussell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at U.K. rape and sex assault trial
DeadlineRussell Brand Takes The Stand On First Day Of Defence's Case
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What happened
Updated Oct 28, 11:34am ETA judge reduced an indecent-assault charge against Russell Brand
Russell BrandEnglish comedian, actor, and podcaster (born 1975) to attempted indecent assault. The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for the original charge and directed jurors to find Brand not guilty of it. Brand had taken the stand at Southwark Crown Court
Southwark Crown Courtjudicial building in South London, England as his defense case began, after prosecutors finished their case. Six women accuse the actor of sexual offenses between 1999 and 2009. He now faces three rape charges, three sexual-assault charges and one attempted-indecent-assault charge. Brand denies the charges and says he has never had nonconsensual sex. He told the court consent was essential. The jury has yet to decide whether Brand is guilty of the remaining charges.
How the left told it
Only one left-leaning outlet we track covered this: Rolling Stone, under the headline “Russell Brand Takes Stand In Rape Trial -- Says People Have Abandoned Him”.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets focused on Brand’s claimed personal toll and the prosecution setback reflected in the judge’s ruling. The New York Post cited Brand saying the allegations had devastated him, cost him support and affected access to his hospitalized son. The Post Millennial leaned on Justice Bennethan’s finding of “insufficient evidence” for the original charge.
Russell Brand Assault Case
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 5Russell Brand Found GuiltyBalanced
- Oct 28Judge Reduces Charge Against Russell Brand (this story)Mostly Center