Brand's former assistant tells court comedian's behaviour was 'on another level'

The trial of British comedian and TV personality Russell Brand continued at Southwark crown court in London on Monday 26 October. Brand, 51, faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women, with the allegations covering a period of 10 years from 1999. He denies all the charges.

Statements from prosecution witnesses were read to the court. One was a May 2024 police statement from Helen Berger, who worked as Brand's personal assistant from June 2006 to February 2007, when he was at the height of his fame. She said it was one of the hardest jobs she had held because of his non-stop energy, and that she left burnt out.

The assistant's account

Berger said she had worked with celebrities before, but Brand's behaviour was on "another level". By her account, he had an "insane sexual appetite" and slept with people day and night. She alleged he seemed depressed rather than happy after sex. She also said she once had to keep his mother and girlfriend away from his dressing room because he was having sex, and that she overheard him receiving oral sex in a toilet.

At the same time, Berger said she never witnessed Brand doing anything against the law, though she did see him treat women poorly.

Other evidence

The court also heard a statement from the manager of a woman who says Brand sexually assaulted her in 2009 while she worked at Channel 4. The manager recalled being told that Brand's associates Jack Bayles and Gareth Roy said the woman had to give Brand a massage or the day's recording would not go ahead.

The sister of another woman, who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Brand at a Soho bar in 2004, said the woman was upset and almost in shock the next morning. The woman told her sister the full story in tears in 2023.

The trial continues.