Mia Latter waives anonymity to detail Russell Brand rape allegation at 16
Mia Latter, formerly known as "Alice", has spoken publicly about her alleged relationship with Brand in 2006, when she was 16. Brand is serving 10.5 years for rape and sexual assault.
Mia Latter speaks out over Russell Brand rape allegation when she was a schoolgirl
A woman who alleges she was raped by Russell Brand at the age of 16 has waived her right to anonymity to speak publicly about her experience. Mia Latter — previously referred to in media reports and court proceedings as "Alice" — gave an interview to The Times, sharing details of what she described as an alleged relationship with the comedian that began in 2006, when Brand was 30 and working as a BBC presenter.
Brand, 51, is currently serving a sentence of 10 years and six months at HMP Wandsworth in South London. He was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009. Judge Joel Bennathan described him as a "sexual predator" who had shown a "casual, arrogant disregard" for women. He was cleared of three further charges.
Allegation excluded from trial
According to the Daily Express, Ms Latter spoke to police following the 2023 joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme. The Crown Prosecution Service ultimately decided not to include her case in the criminal trial.
Recounting one alleged incident, Ms Latter told The Times that Brand physically restrained her against a headboard and orally raped her. "I was choking and crying," she said. "I was trying to push him off, so he knew that I didn't want him to be doing that, and so then I ended up having to hit him in the stomach to get him off."
She further alleged that after she struck him, Brand told her: "I just wanted to see your mascara run."
Nicknamed 'the child'
During earlier interviews — including an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour — and in pre-trial hearings, it emerged that Brand had allegedly referred to Ms Latter as "the child" while they were involved. The alleged relationship lasted approximately three months, according to The Times.
Ms Latter also alleged that BBC vehicles were used to collect her from school and take her to Brand's home. She claimed the involvement derailed her education, preventing her from completing her exams, and that she subsequently developed an eating disorder. She said she was instructed to keep the relationship secret from friends at school.
Brand has previously denied all allegations of non-consensual sexual activity.
Call for staggered age of consent
Speaking publicly under her own name for the first time, Ms Latter said she is now campaigning for a change in the law to protect teenagers from grooming. "Shame must change sides," she told The Times, as she called for a staggered age of consent that would make sexual relationships between 16- and 17-year-olds and significantly older adults illegal.
A staggered consent framework already exists in some US states. In Florida — where Brand was living before he was imprisoned — the age of consent is 18, reduced to 16 only if the other party is no more than 23 years old.
Sentence and parole terms
Brand was convicted following a four-week trial and sentenced at Southwark Crown Court. He must serve two-thirds of his 10-and-a-half-year sentence before becoming eligible to apply for parole. He has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
--- If you have been affected by any of the themes in this article, Rape Crisis can be contacted free of charge, 24 hours a day, on 0808 500 2222.
Source: Daily Express