Former Classmate Recounts Claims About Russell Brand at School

Brown told The Mirror that Brand, then a fellow student at the London performing arts school, would approach girls wearing a large black trench coat and touch them without permission. “You would often see the girls flinch,” Brown recalled, alleging Brand pinched and grabbed pupils. He said some girls were around 14 and claimed Brand walked through corridors used by younger students without reason.

Brown also described Brand as confident around women and said male students sometimes admired that behavior. “I’ve got daughters now. I dread to think anyone would talk about them that way,” he said.

In an account revisited by the Irish Star, Brown recalled Brand approaching former pupil Naomi Campbell during a school visit, pushing through a crowd, kissing her arm and being taken away after she flinched, Brown alleged. He also accused staff of ignoring some behavior, and recounted an alleged incident in which Brand put his head between a female staff member’s breasts.

Italia Conti said it took reports of inappropriate behavior seriously and encouraged former students with concerns to contact the school. It confirmed Brand attended the academy and was expelled after breaching its code of conduct.

Brand was convicted of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. The Crown Prosecution Service said he used growing fame and influence to take advantage of women. The Metropolitan Police said he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life; investigators are also examining separate allegations.