Unreliable Witness | Storycast

Unreliable Witness | Storycast

Russell Brand: On Trial is the latest podcast series from Sky News - bringing you in-depth stories from across the UK. Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer are award-winning journalists who have reported on some of the most high profile criminal cases here and abroad. Our episodes from the trial of Russell Brand will focus on key developments in the trial and prioritise expert insight. Our previous series: SEASON 1: The Hunt for the Brinks-Mat Gold In 1983, an armed gang stole £26m in gold bars from a high-security depot near Heathrow Airport. Dubbed the crime of the century, the heist changed the face of Britain’s criminal landscape and the life of one undercover Scotland Yard detective. AIBs AWARDS - HIGHLY COMMENDED, FACTUAL PODCAST NEW YORK FESTIVAL'S RADIO AWARDS, FINALIST, NARRATIVE PODCAST SERIES SEASON 2: What happened to Annie? In 2005, the body of 30-year-old Swedish woman, Annie Börjesson, was found on Prestwick beach in Scotland. Could one of the world’s most secretive security agencies be behind her death? NEW YORK FESTIVALS RADIO AWARDS - GOLD, INVESTIGATIVE PODCAST SERIES AIBs AWARDS - GOLD, INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY SEASON 3: Polonium and The Piano Player Two Russian agents release a miniature nuclear weapon in a 5-star London hotel. But former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko is not the only victim. AIB's AWARDS - HIGHLY COMMENDED, FACTUAL PODCAST SERIES SEASON 4: StoryCast 21 Through extraordinary personal stories, Sky News revisits 21 of the world’s biggest news events this century. NEW YORK FESTIVALS RADIO AWARDS - GOLD, PERSONAL LIVES DRUM MEDIA AWARDS - PODCAST OF THE YEAR SEASON 5: Patient 11 Following the death of her brother, young mother Alexis Quinn seeks temporary respite in NHS psychiatric care, never imagining that three days, would turn into more than three year ordeal that would ultimately expose a national scandal. PRESS GAZETTE FUTURE OF MEDIA AWARDS - PODCAST OF THE YEAR NEW YORK FESTIVALS RADIO AWARDS - SILVER, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PODCAST SEASON 6: Unreliable Witness Investigating the high-profile case of Ellie Williams, the young woman jailed for lying about sexual assault and grooming in her home town. Sky News’ Jason Farrell and Liz Lane look at what could have led her to make these claims and if, underneath it all, there is some other secret buried amongst the lies. NEW YORK FESTIVALS RADIO AWARDS - GOLD, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM PODCAST
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Episode's summary

WARNING: This episode contains graphic details of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court. Follow the feed to get every episode from Sky News' Katie Spencer and Martin Brunt. Today, the prosecution set out its case against Russell Brand calling him “ruthless, calculated and manipulative…a sexual predator”. We heard from a former flatmate of Brand’s - the first witness for the prosecution - who told the court Brand said he “may have gone a bit too far” with a woman. The day started with Brand responding to Katie outside court saying he was “concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved”. Then, inside courtroom 3 of Southwark Crown Court in London, the prosecution outlined the allegations against him in detail. The prosecution say these allegations are from six women who “never met each other” and came forward "independently". Katie and Martin were at court as lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described Brand as a man with a “childlike” expectation…

Episodes

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A ‘ruthless sexual predator’ - the prosecution case against Russell Brand | Episode 2

WARNING: This episode contains graphic details of alleged rape and sexual assault as described in court. Follow the feed to get every episode from Sky News' Katie Spencer and Martin Brunt. Today, the prosecution set out its case against Russell Brand calling him “ruthless, calculated and manipulative…a sexual predator”. We heard from a former flatmate of Brand’s - the first witness for the prosecution - who told the court Brand said he “may have gone a bit too far” with a woman. The day started with Brand responding to Katie outside court saying he was “concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved”. Then, inside courtroom 3 of Southwark Crown Court in London, the prosecution outlined the allegations against him in detail. The prosecution say these allegations are from six women who “never met each other” and came forward "independently". Katie and Martin were at court as lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC described Brand as a man with a “childlike” expectation…

14 Oct 2026
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Russell Brand, the defendant arrives at court | Episode 1

What happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court. Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court. The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty. He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues. Follow the feed to get every episode. Email us with your thoughts: skynewspodcasts@sky.uk

12 Oct 2026
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Introducing 'Russell Brand: On Trial'

As Russell Brand goes on trial, Sky News brings together two award winning journalists to cover the case. Together this pair has more than 30 years experience reporting on the most high profile criminal cases. Sky News’ crime commentator Martin Brunt and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer will be at Southwark Crown Court to hear the prosecution case, witness testimonies and Brand’s defence. He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and denies the allegations against him. Our eyes and ears in court, Martin and Katie will guide us through the maze of the justice system and this case with clarity and insight. New episodes from October 12th.

09 Oct 2026
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Unreliable Witness 7: The Other Trial

EPISODE 7: A new court case finally exposes abuse in Barrow. Jason and Liz have known about these allegations for years but they can only reveal the facts now. The case involves three brothers and it's taken their victims more than a decade to get justice. Now we can tell the story of their crimes and follow a thread leading back to Ellie Williams. She's out of jail and not allowed to talk to the media. But Jason and Liz find her old diaries raise fresh questions. Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence and sexual abuse, explicit language, and a reference to suicide From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane. Episode Producer: Soila Apparicio Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

28 Feb 2025
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Unreliable Witness 6: Eleanor Williams – Inside

Police material is released, taking us to the moments they discover her battered at her flat and the night before her infamous post. They also reveal her reaction when accused of lying. Meanwhile Liz and Jason are given a psychiatric report charting medical records and interviews which reveal more on Ellie’s background and state of mind. And, finally, Liz hears from the young woman at the centre of it all - directly from prison. Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane. Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O’Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth

24 Mar 2024