Russell Brand accusers 'haunted' for years by alleged crimes, court hears

Some of the women in Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault case have been "haunted" for years by what they allege he did to them, jurors have been told.

In her closing speech at London's Southwark Crown Court on Friday, prosecutor Reil Karmy-Jones KC said the women had "nothing to gain" from coming forward apart from "some closure".

Speaking for the defence, Polly Dyer told jurors Brand had pleaded guilty and been fined over possession of cannabis in 1995, but had no other "convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings".

Brand, 51, is on trial facing seven charges; three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. He denies the charges.