Mia Latter, a woman who has alleged that she was raped by Russell Brand when she was 16, has waived her right to anonymity to campaign for a staggered age of consent law. Latter, now 37, shared her story in an interview with the Sunday Times, seeking legislative changes to protect minors from adults in positions of power. She told the paper: “I think people were so struck by my story because of the age difference and the clear imbalance [in power]. Warning – this story contains graphic content.
Background of the Allegations
Latter was one of six women who made allegations against Brand in 2023 as part of a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches. During that inquiry, she was known under the pseudonym ‘Alice’. At the time, Brand denied all allegations brought against him. None of the women who participated in the 2023 media investigation were complainants in the criminal trial that recently concluded.
Legal Developments and Trial Outcome
On Monday, the entertainer was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. The Sunday Times reported that while Latter had initially described her experience as sexual assault during the 2023 investigation, she now classifies the allegation as rape.
Details of the Relationship
Latter recounted that she met Brand, who was 30 at the time, while she was 16 and returning home from a shopping trip.
Brand was working at MTV at the time. She described a significant power imbalance, noting that Brand instructed her to keep their relationship secret from her school peers and allegedly referred to her as ‘the child’ in the presence of his entourage. According to the Sunday Times, the alleged oral rape occurred toward the end of their relationship.
Campaign for Reform
Latter is now advocating for a ‘staggered’ age of consent that specifically prohibits relationships between adults and individuals aged 16 or 17.
She clarified her stance in her recent interview, stating, ‘I don’t want to criminalise teenagers having sex with each other.
If you’re between the ages of 16 and 18, it seems reasonable that you can have relationships with each other, and teenagers are always going to.
But if you’re in your thirties, forties and fifties and you’re trying to have a relationship with someone under the age of 18, it should be a criminal offence.’ We understand the delay has been distressing for this victim-survivor.
Status of Criminal Proceedings
- Latter stated she would not continue with the criminal process to focus on her campaign.
- In her interview, she noted that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to include her in Brand’s recent criminal trial, though police had expressed interest in her involvement for a subsequent trial.
- A Met Police spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was launched in January 2026 following an allegation of rape.
- Detectives have been consulting with the CPS to determine the best path forward, with officers advised that further information is required before a charging decision can be made.
- The police investigation remains ongoing, with a spokesperson acknowledging that delays have been distressing for the survivor.
- A representative for the CPS stated it would continue working closely with investigators to provide advice and ensure cases move forward as efficiently as possible.
