A former personal assistant to Russell Brand, Helen Berger, has testified at Southwark Crown Court that she was asked by the entertainer to obtain phone numbers from female fans early in her employment, a request she found uncomfortable and later refused. Berger described Brand's behaviour as having an "insane sexual appetite," stating he frequently sought sexual encounters with women, including through online platforms like MySpace, and that his home was often visited by women for sex. She characterised the work environment as one where Brand's sexual conduct was normalised and dismissed by those around him.
Brand, 51, faces multiple charges including rape and sexual assault, alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009, which he denies. His defence argues that any sexual activity was consensual and claims that accounts have been distorted following a 2023 documentary making abuse allegations. The prosecution is expected to conclude its case shortly.
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Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.