Inside the courtroom: How a criminal trial works | Russell Brand on Trial

Four the Record: Russell Brand on Trial · Oct 8, 2026 · 20m

Russell Brand will be on trial from Monday: he’s been charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He strenuously denies all charges.

But how does the UK justice system ensure a fair trial when the defendant is one of the UK’s most recognisable public figures? What does the prosecution have to prove in a case of this nature? And what protections are available to witnesses?

In this episode, Minnie Stephenson speaks to Sir Max Hill KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions and one of Britain’s most experienced criminal barristers, about…