Fifth Russell Brand accuser says he ignored her pleas to stop as two friends back her account

A fifth woman has testified against Russell Brand in his rape trial in the UK. She told jurors he kept going in 2009 after she asked him again and again to stop.

Like every accuser in the case she is giving evidence without her name being made public. Prosecutors also played the jury a recorded interview she gave to police.

Her account of 2009

The woman said the two of them first had sex that she agreed to. She told the court things then turned into an act she never consented to. She said Brand refused to stop even though she pleaded with him several times and that she was hurt for days afterward.

She testified that she confided in several people back then, including the man she was dating. She says she and Brand did not speak again until about a year later, when she bumped into him at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.

The text messages

She says Brand reached out by text after that meeting and told her he wanted to "push [her] further." She claims she answered that he had already gone too far. She also says she told him he had treated her "like an animal" and that he said sorry almost at once.

On cross-examination Brand's lawyers pushed her to concede the encounter had been consensual. They also claimed the two had talked about it before they hooked up.

Two friends take the stand

On Thursday a friend of the same woman appeared by video link. She said the accuser was in tears and deeply upset when she described what happened. According to reports the friend said the two first crossed paths after Brand performed stand-up at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. She said the woman went back to his place afterward.

The friend told jurors the woman said she had told Brand "no" over and over. A second friend testified that the accuser was injured and that Brand coldly told her to clean herself up before sending her on her way.

Statements from the woman's parents said she was frightened she might have contracted HIV. She also reportedly feared police would not believe her.

Leaning on his faith

Outside court Brand says he is relying on God. In a video posted Wednesday he and his wife Laura talked about the trial while saying they would be "extremely cautious" about what they shared.

Laura said that each time they arrive at the courthouse she feels as if she is suiting up for a fight. Brand responded by opening his Bible to a passage about putting on "the full armor of God." He said the verse has helped him stay calm in the courtroom.

He told her his life "doesn't belong to me" and gave God credit for everything. He said he cannot help but turn to faith and justice in his situation.

The charges

Brand faces seven counts involving six women: three of rape plus three of sexual assault along with one of indecent assault. The accusers describe encounters they say took place between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to every charge and insists he has never had sex with anyone without consent.