Former PA tells court Brand had 'insane' sexual appetite

A former personal assistant to Russell Brand testified on Monday that the comedian possessed an "insane sexual appetite" that persisted throughout his professional schedule. Helen Berger provided this account in a police statement read into evidence at Southwark crown court. The statement forms part of the prosecution case against the 51-year-old entertainer.

Berger worked for Brand from June 2006 to February 2007. During this period, the comedian maintained a demanding workload. He hosted Channel 4's Big Brother, appeared on MTV and the BBC, hosted a radio show, and performed on a national comedy tour. He also wrote a weekly column for The Guardian and was working on a book. Despite these commitments, Berger stated that Brand was sleeping with people "day and night."

The witness described the working culture as one where poor behavior was "normalised and dismissed." Berger noted that while she had worked with other celebrities, the level of normalization in Brand's circle was distinct. She stated that the consistent dismissal of his actions led her to believe that the behavior was simply the expected standard. She left the position because she was "sick of him" and experienced burnout.

Berger detailed specific instances of Brand's conduct. She recalled seeing him wear only underwear and an open robe during an interview with then-girlfriend Sadie Frost. She also described how Brand used the social media platform Myspace to find women for sexual encounters. Women, including an unnamed celebrity, were frequently present at his flat in Camden, north London, for these liaisons. Berger characterized Brand as a "peacock" to whom women often approached.

The assistant alleged that she sometimes had to manage access to Brand's dressing room to prevent his mother and girlfriend from entering while he was having sex. In another incident, she claimed to have overheard oral sex taking place in a women's toilet. She identified the location by the sound of Brand's voice and his trademark cowboy boots in the adjacent cubicle. She also recalled an instance where Brand, while meeting a work deadline, joked with her about needing to go have sex.

Berger stated that she never witnessed Brand commit a crime against the law. However, she said she did see him treat women poorly. She described a specific interaction where Brand was "hitting on" a woman who mentioned having a boyfriend. After she confirmed her relationship status, Berger said Brand "switched off his charm" and moved on to another woman, a reaction that startled the assistant.

The court also heard testimony regarding a separate allegation from 2009. The manager of a former Channel 4 employee stated that her client was sexually assaulted by Brand during a workday. The manager recalled the victim explaining that Brand's associates, Jack Bayles and Gareth Roy, told her she had to give Brand a massage or the recording would stop. The manager said Bayles and Roy watched the incident and laughed while it occurred.

A sister of another alleged victim provided a statement regarding an incident at a Soho bar in 2004. The witness said her sister called her in tears in 2023 to describe the event. The sister described Brand's eyes as having gone "completely black" and said he seemed "possessed" or like a different person. The witness noted that her sister was "upset and almost in shock" the morning after the alleged assault. Brand faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges.

Brand sat in the dock wearing a grey suit and white shirt as the prosecution witnesses' statements were read. The trial continues.