A London court hears allegations that actor Russell Brand raped and sexually assaulted a woman in 2004 in a Soho bar, after nearly 20 years since the events she reports. The complainant testifies that the incident happens quickly in a bar toilet cubicle, describing Brand as having a “weird” or grin-like demeanour and making remarks as she said she did not want to engage. Police and prosecutors also ask questions about circumstances surrounding the alleged encounter, including what the complainant was wearing.

Multiple outlets report the complainant says she feared reporting him at the time because of “lad culture” in the 2000s and what she believed would follow—specifically, that it would be her word against his. In testimony reported by several sources, the court also hears that Brand allegedly asked her for her number shortly after meeting her. Brand, 51, denies the allegations and faces trial on multiple counts, including three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault.