Channel 4 documentary and journalists ‘poisoned the well’ against Russell Brand, court hears

Referring to the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, aired in 2023, which made allegations about Brand, Winter reminded jurors that the judge in the trial had directed them that the programme was “very one-sided” and “produced in a dramatic manner”.

The barrister said it was “published without a single journalist ever speaking to Mr Brand about it other than to protect their defamation risk… protect their right to reply after the programme had been made”.

He later said: “Most importantly, that programme and those allegations in it; Mr Brand is innocent of them.

“So, they poisoned the well in respect of things of which Mr Brand is innocent.”

He added that the six complainants in the case were “not random”, adding they were “thoroughly contaminated by the programme”.

Jurors were reminded about what Brand had said in his evidence about the impact the programme had on him.

Winter said one “graphic” example of the “truly devastating effect” on Brand was when a hospital “would not permit him to visit the bedside of his baby son after life-saving open heart surgery”.

Winter said: “That tells you the extent to which public opinion has … corrupted.”

Brand previously told jurors that Great Ormond Street Hospital didn’t let him stay with his son due to “material that had been published in the public eye”.

Brand’s lawyer also told jurors that Brand “had an immense amount of sex”, but that “none of it was unlawful”.

“Disgusting, distasteful, immoral, who cares?” he added.

“It’s irrelevant to your consideration.”

Winter also referred to evidence given by Brand’s wife Laura, saying: “She fell in love with that man in full knowledge of what he was doing.

“She married him, she bore him three children.”

He went on to say that she would not have done so if Brand was “guilty as charged”.

Brand arrived at court today accompanied by his wife Laura and her father Bernard Gallacher, the former professional golfer.

The Southwark Crown Court trial continues.