From the Guardian · · 2m
Brand's wife testifies he was 'attentive husband'
Laura Brand tells rape trial court she and Russell split over his promiscuity but describes him as caring and a wonderful father.
In brief
Laura Brand tells rape trial court she and Russell split over his promiscuity but describes him as caring and a wonderful father. Russell Brand's wife testified at his rape trial that they previously split over his infidelity but that he was a caring, attentive husband and wonderful father. Brand denies all charges…
Wife testifies at Brand's trial
Laura Brand, 39, gave evidence at Southwark crown court on Wednesday in her husband Russell Brand's rape trial. She said they met at Edinburgh festival in 2006 after his show Shame.
They split over his promiscuity
Laura said they fell in love after meeting in two thousand six but that Brand found monogamy difficult. They split in February two thousand seven because of his infidelity. She was heartbroken.
“I wasn't interested in having a relationship with him if he was sleeping with other people.”
She describes his early treatment
Laura said Brand was very caring and totally at her pace when they began dating in September two thousand six. She felt entirely cared for and looked after by him, she told the court.
“Very caring, totally at my pace. I felt entirely cared for, and looked after by Russell.”
They reconnected years later
Laura said she and Brand resumed contact as friends in summer two thousand seven. They reconnected when his marriage to Katy Perry ended, restarted their relationship in two thousand fifteen, and married two years later.
She knew of his affairs
Laura said she was very aware of Brand's promiscuity during their time apart and would read about it regularly in the papers. He also told her about it and they talked about it, she said.
She praises him as husband
When asked to describe Brand, Laura said he is caring, kind, a wonderful father to their three children, and an amazingly attentive husband with an eye for detail she has never known before.
“Russell, my husband, is caring, he's kind, he's a wonderful father to our children, he's an amazingly attentive husband.”
Prosecutor challenges her account
In cross-examination, prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones noted Laura had been present throughout most of the trial and took notes. She challenged Laura about contact with Brand after their two thousand seven breakup.
Brand faces multiple charges
Brand, 51, is accused of seven offences including rape and sexual assault against six women in allegations spanning ten years from nineteen ninety-nine. He denies all the charges. The trial continues.
The headline
Russell Brand's wife testified at his rape trial that they previously split over his infidelity but that he was a caring, attentive husband and wonderful father. Brand denies all charges.
