Russell Brand Trial: Six Potential Jurors Dismissed Over 2023 Reports as Judge Warns Against Research

Six prospective jurors were dismissed from Russell Brand's trial at London's Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 12 October, after recalling media coverage from 2023.

Judge Joel Bennathan questioned candidates about a Channel 4 documentary and a newspaper investigation concerning allegations against the comedian. He later warned the remaining panel that they 'absolutely must not carry out any research' about Brand.

The 51-year-old faces seven sexual offence charges involving six women over alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to every charge.

The hearing opened with 50 potential jurors being asked about the earlier reporting. Six indicated that they remembered the documentary or newspaper article and were excluded from the selection process. They were not accused of breaching the judge's instructions.

The screening took place before a jury was sworn in to hear the prosecution and defence cases.

Russell Brand Trial Jurors Questioned Over 2023 Coverage

'We are about to start the trial of one Mr Russell Brand,' Bennathan told the prospective jurors. 'Many of you will have heard of him.'

The judge referred to a documentary broadcast by Channel 4 and an article published in The Times about three years earlier. Both concerned allegations of sexual misconduct which Brand denied. 'Those are allegations he firmly denies,' the judge told the group.

He explained that jurors would hear something about the programme, newspaper article and allegations during the trial. That did not mean the earlier reporting was evidence for prospective jurors to assess during Monday's screening. The immediate task was to identify candidates who recalled encountering it.

The six people were excused because they acknowledged remembering past reporting, not because they had conducted prohibited research or were found to have acted improperly.

Monday's remaining candidates were reduced to a pool of 20 for the next stage of selection.

Judge Warns Russell Brand Trial Jurors Against Outside Research

Once the initial selection had been made, Bennathan issued a direct instruction about seeking information beyond what would be presented in court.

'The defendant is clearly someone very well known. You absolutely must not carry out any research at all about this defendant, Russell Brand,' he told the prospective jurors.

The warning followed the questions about the 2023 coverage. It made clear that jurors should consider the case through the evidence presented in court, rather than supplementing what they heard by researching Brand themselves. No breach of that direction was reported during Monday's hearing.

Brand arrived at court accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher, and passed photographers and other members of the media outside. Inside, he sat in the dock during the selection process. He remains on bail while the proceedings continue.

The defendant rose to prominence through stand-up comedy, television presenting and radio. His work included Big Brother's Big Mouth, broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 and film roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. More recently, he has built an online audience through podcasts and commentary.

Jury Sworn in as Six‑Week Trial Expected

The selection process moved forward on Tuesday, 13 October, when eight men and four women were sworn in as jurors. One reserve juror was also sworn in, completing the next stage of preparations for the trial.

Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The charges relate to alleged offences in London and Bournemouth involving six women between 1999 and 2009. He denies all seven charges.

Bennathan said on Monday that the trial was expected to take about six weeks, although jurors might need to remain available until 11 December.

Prosecutors were expected to open their case on Wednesday, 14 October. The jury will then begin hearing the evidence concerning the allegations against Brand, who has pleaded not guilty.