Russell Brand’s brief marriage to Katy Perry was kept out of the prosecution’s opening statement at his rape trial, after his legal team objected, according to reports.
Page Six, citing The Telegraph, reports that prosecutors had intended to refer to the relationship during pre-trial proceedings.
Brand’s lawyers successfully argued that the details of the couple’s relationship had no bearing on the allegations. The reports do not say which judge made the decision or give the exact wording of the ruling.
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Lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC said in pre-trial submissions that “matters post 2009 involving his relationship with Katy Perry may be sensitive,” and said the prosecution was content to drop them from the opening.
Mentions of Brand’s religious practices and his past drinking and drug problems were also barred.
Brand, 51, and Perry, 42, began dating in 2009 and married in India in 2010. They were married for 14 months. One accuser alleged that an incident took place in July 2012, five months after their divorce was finalised.
The jury found Brand guilty on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one charge of attempted indecent assault. Brand has denied all the allegations and has said his sexual encounters were consensual.
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan told the court Brand would receive a “significant” prison sentence. Sentencing is due on Monday 9 November.
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