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Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court.
Sky News' Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer report the defence’s closing speech from the trial of Russell Brand.
Brand’s lawyer, Ian Winter KC, told the court that journalists had "poisoned the well of justice" in the case by prompting the women to come forward, following a Channel 4 documentary and stories in the Times and Sunday Times that made allegations about Brand in 2023.
He said there is "no evidence [Brand] is some kind of psychopath who rapes people and thinks it's normal", adding: "The fact he behaved normally during and after all of those rapes tells you what you need to know. He believed they were all consenting."
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault. He denies all the charges.
Email the podcast: ontrial@sky.uk.
(c) Sky News 2026: Journalists had 'poisoned the well of justice' - the defence's closing speech | Episode 14
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