Russell Brand trial: former assistant testifies in court

During the third week of Russell Brand’s criminal trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court, a former personal assistant, Helen Berger, provided testimony regarding the comedian’s conduct. Berger, who worked for Brand between June 2006 and February 2007, described the role as one of her most difficult jobs due to the environment and Brand’s behavior.

In a written statement read to the court, Berger testified that Brand possessed an “insane sexual appetite” and was “sleeping with people day and night.” She noted that he frequently walked around his flat in his underwear and once conducted an interview with actress Sadie Frost while wearing only an open robe and no shirt. Berger also stated that she was previously instructed to collect phone numbers from female fans for Brand, a practice she eventually refused to continue.

While Berger clarified that she never witnessed Brand committing illegal acts, she remarked that the culture surrounding him was “on another level” and that those close to him seemed to normalize his behavior.

Brand, 51, faces allegations of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault involving six women with incidents dating from 1999 to 2009. He denies all charges.