A woman says Russell Brand groomed her when she was 16 and was 'preoccupied' with her innocence
Sep 17, 2023, 03:28 IST
- A woman says she was 16 years old when the comedian Russell Brand sexually assaulted her.
- British media published an investigation Saturday reporting that four women have accused Brand of sexual misconduct.
Advertisement
A woman has alleged that the comedian and media personality Russell Brand sexually assaulted her during a tumultuous three-month relationship that occurred when she was 16, according to an investigation published Saturday by British media.
A joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times of London, and Channel 4 Dispatches reported that four women accused Brand of sexual misconduct and predatory behavior — including rape and sexual assault — between 2006 and 2013.In response to the investigation, Brand released a video statement denying all allegations of wrongdoing, but conceded that he was "very promiscuous" during the period in question."Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute," Brand said in his statement, adding that his relationships were "absolutely always consensual."An attorney representing Brand did not immediately respond to Insider's request for additional comment.The woman who said she was 16 during her relationship with Brand said the comedian first approached her in Leicester Square after she had been shopping. She said he riffled through her purchases, pulled out a dress, and said, "You're going to wear this on our date this week." The woman, who was identified throughout the investigation as "Alice," said Brand was 30 years old at the time.Alice said she took a taxi to Brand's home and recalled the driver begging her not to go inside, saying, "Please, I'm asking you not to go in there, you could be my little girl, and I would want someone to do this for her." Alice said she ignored the driver's warnings and entered into a three-month relationship that she described as emotionally abusive.Alice told reporters Brand was ecstatic to learn she was a virgin and became "preoccupied" with her innocence and purity."He was like, 'Oh my God, my baby, my baby,' and picked me up and cradled me in his arms like a child and was stroking my hair. He's like, 'You're like my little dolly,'" Alice said.She also said Brand referred to her as "the child," instructed her to read the book Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and told her to lie to her parents. Alice and one of her relatives who corroborated her story to British media described Brand's actions as "grooming."Alice told reporters the relationship ended after a sexual assault in which Brand forced his penis down her throat, choking her, refusing to stop. Alice said she ultimately punched him in the stomach and started to cry."I knew at that point that he didn't care about hurting me physically or emotionally," Alice told reporters. "It shouldn't take you having to punch someone and to wind them to get them off you. It shouldn't be a physical fight."