Russell Brand’s ‘birthright orgasm’ claim takes centre stage in rape trial closing arguments

Prosecutors have urged jurors to convict Russell Brand on seven charges, alleging that he disregarded women’s consent and pursued sexual contact whenever he wanted. Brand denies three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted indecent assault. In closing remarks at Southwark Crown Court, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC said Brand had treated women as disposable and viewed them as a means to an end. She told the jury that his approach was reflected in comments he had made in a 2017 interview, in which women were described as “amusements” in a “playground of orgasms”. Addressing one alleged rape, Karmy-Jones said the complainant’s account showed that Brand did not want to stop and cared only about what she called his “birthright orgasm”. She characterized him as “rampant” in his desire for sexual contact whenever he pleased. These are allegations and arguments presented by the prosecution; Brand denies the charges. The prosecutor also asked jurors to examine what she described as inconsistencies between Brand’s evidence at trial and his earlier statements. She accused him of holding back information until he knew what the prosecution had, and argued that his account appeared to develop as the case progressed. Karmy-Jones also said his responses to the women’s accusations carried a “flavour of disdain”. Brand’s defence has argued that he faced criminal allegations after women were encouraged by media reporting, including a 2023 Channel 4 documentary and coverage in The Sunday Times. The prosecution countered that the six women did not know one another and had made their reports independently. Karmy-Jones rejected the suggestion that the documentary or newspaper coverage could have prompted them to invent or reshape their accounts. The jury is being asked to assess the evidence and decide whether the prosecution has proved each charge. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.