Judge reduces Russell Brand's indecent assault charge to attempted assault

A judge at London's Southwark Crown Court dismissed an indecent assault charge against British comedian and actor Russell Brand, replacing it with a count of attempted indecent assault, Variety reported. The decision came amid Brand's ongoing trial involving multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault dating from 1999 to 2009, according to Hollywood Reporter.

The indecent assault charge related to an alleged incident in 2001 involving a female MTV employee. The woman claimed Brand grabbed her arm and tried to drag her into a toilet. The judge found insufficient evidence to support the original charge but added the attempted indecent assault charge to the indictment, Variety and Hollywood Reporter explained.

The judge instructed the jury to deliver a not-guilty verdict on the original indecent assault count, describing the process as somewhat artificial. Jurors will now consider whether Brand attempted the alleged offense, Variety noted.

During the trial, Brand has denied all charges, including three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He stated in a police statement that he led a promiscuous life with many sexual encounters, often with people he had just met, Hollywood Reporter reported.

Other allegations in the trial include claims of rape and sexual assault in various locations and years, with Brand maintaining that all encounters were consensual. The trial continues as the prosecution wraps up its case, Deadline reported.