LONDON: British comedian Russell Brand’s wife told his rape and sexual assault trial on Thursday that he had struggled with monogamy but had become a caring husband and father.
Laura Gallacher, 39, gave evidence as a character witness at Southwark Crown Court. Brand, 51, faces seven criminal charges involving six women. These include three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault.
He has pleaded not guilty to every charge and maintains that his past sexual encounters were consensual. Gallacher told jurors that she began dating Brand in 2006, when she was 19.
Their relationship ended in 2007 after she learned he was seeing other women. “It was clear it was difficult for him to be monogamous,” she told the court.
However, Gallacher defended her husband’s character and described him as attentive, kind and a devoted father. She recalled that Brand had respected her boundaries during their early relationship.
Read More: Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Rape, Sexual Assault Charges
The couple resumed their relationship in 2015 and married in 2017. They have three children. During questioning, Gallacher acknowledged that she had not known Brand throughout the periods covered by several allegations.
The judge stopped the defence from asking her to assess whether the accusations against her husband were true. Brand gave evidence on Wednesday and acknowledged his past promiscuity. He also admitted using his fame to pursue sexual relationships.
Read More: Russell Brand Charged with Rape and Sexual Offences in London
However, he denied forcing any woman into sexual activity. Prosecutors allege that the offences occurred between 1999 and 2009, during Brand’s rise as a comedian and television presenter.
The trial is entering its final stages, with jurors expected to begin considering their verdict on Tuesday. Laura Gallacher told a London court that Russell Brand had struggled with monogamy during their early relationship but described him as a caring husband and father.
