A woman alleging rape by Russell Brand told police she "closed my eyes and tried not to be there" during the alleged attack in 2004. The complainant's account was shared with the jury at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, presented via a 2023 video interview with an officer.

The woman stated she was discussing Brand's hosting of Channel 4's "Big Brother's Big Mouth" when the alleged sexual assault occurred at a bar in Soho, London. Russell Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges he faces, which include three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. These allegations, made by six women, span a decade between 1999 and 2009.

The complainant told the court that the "lad culture" prevalent in the 2000s prevented her from reporting the incident sooner. She accused Brand of grabbing her breasts at a birthday party before dragging her into a toilet and allegedly raping her. She explained that she waited two decades to come forward due to fear, believing that Brand's celebrity status would make it "his word against mine," potentially leading to ostracization from her work and social circles.

Working for MTV at the time, she was accustomed to being around famous individuals. Speaking from behind a screen in the witness box, she noted that times have changed, recalling a past where women were not believed and faced victim-blaming attitudes. She described Brand's alleged actions with a "big weird grin," comparing it to a clown's face as he allegedly lunged at her.

During cross-examination, Brand's barrister, Ian Winter KC, suggested that the encounter in the toilet was consensual, involving kissing and cuddling, but was abandoned due to the toilet's poor condition. The woman, who became tearful, refuted this, stating she felt dazed and ashamed afterwards. She rejected the suggestion that she could have easily struggled or sought help, explaining that Brand held her "quite strongly" and a part of her thought, "just get it over with so you can get out of here."

She later confided in a friend, indicating Brand had "tried to do it" but did not explicitly state that rape had occurred. The woman also told the prosecution barrister that she was unaware at the time that the alleged oral assault would legally be considered rape.

Earlier in the trial, the video interview revealed the context of the alleged assault, with the woman discussing Brand's TV show. In her police interview, she recounted Brand's actions after their conversation about the show, stating he "literally just gra..."

The trial continues as the court hears further evidence from complainants and defendants, with the jury tasked with determining the facts of the alleged incidents spanning over a decade.