Russell Brand Indecent Assault Charge Reduced

The judge just cut Russell Brand's indecent assault charge to attempted indecent assault after finding insufficient evidence. The original charge involved a 2001 MTV employee who claimed Brand tried to drag her into a toilet. Brand has been in court since 2023, giving prepared statements that he never had non-consensual sex. He also says a Channel 4 documentary was defamatory and spurred false claims. The prosecution will finish its case on Wednesday, and the defense is set to start next week. Brand remains in court, pleading not guilty on all counts. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, told jurors there was insufficient evidence to support the original indecent assault charge. He also listed six other charges: three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of attempted indecent assault. Brand's defense team will begin outlining their case tomorrow after the prosecution wraps up. The jury formally found Brand not guilty on the amended charge during the trial's final full day.