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Russell Brand found monogamy 'difficult', wife tells UK rape trial / Photo: Toby Shepheard - AFP
Russell Brand found monogamy 'difficult', wife tells UK rape trial
The wife of British comedian and actor Russell Brand testified Thursday at his trial for rape and sexual assault, saying he had found monogamy "difficult" but became an "amazing" husband.
Brand's trial in London on seven counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted indecent assault, is now in the final stages, with the jury likely to retire to consider a verdict Tuesday.
The London court has heard details from six women of alleged offences including anal, vaginal and oral rape between 1999 and 2009 when Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and television presenter.
If found guilty, the 51-year-old could face up to life in prison. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, saying that although he used to be promiscuous he always had consensual sex.
His wife Laura Gallacher, who has attended most hearings, sounded confident and calm, as she was questioned by Brand's lawyer and the prosecution as a character witness.
"Russell, my husband, is caring, he is kind, he is a wonderful father to our children. He is an amazing, attentive husband," the 39-year-old said, watched by Brand from the dock.
Gallacher and Brand married in 2017 and have three children. She often appears on his YouTube channel with over 6 million subscribers.
She told the court they began dating in 2006, when she was 19.
When they had sex, Gallacher said Brand treated her "very caringly, totally at my pace".
However she said she realised he was "engaging with other women" and they broke up because "I was not interested in having a relationship with him if he slept with other people."
"It was clear it was difficult for him to be monogamous," she said.
Testifying Thursday, Brand acknowledged he had been "obsessed" with sex and used his fame to "facilitate sexual access".
Gallacher said she was "very aware" of Brand's promiscuity, as "you could read about it regularly in the papers".
Brand was briefly married to US pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2011.
Gallacher said they stayed in touch as friends but "probably did not meet" between 2011 and 2014.
Four of the charges relate to years before Brand met Gallacher.
The judge dismissed questions about her view on the allegations.
Two of Brand's ex-girlfriends also gave statements read out in court.
One, Elia Alvarez Diaz, said they met at drama school in the 1990s. When they dated, he was "promiscuous and unfaithful" and "we had many arguments", she said.
K.Morrison--SMC
