Brand blasted for sex attack hotline call

Russell Brand has been condemned by a rape charity after calling a sex attack hotline during his stand-up act, The Sun reports.

An audience in Northampton witnessed the comic call the hotline and claim that he had seen "the underpass attacker", a man police have been hunting following three sex attacks in the Midlands town.

In a video posted on YouTube, Brand took a mobile phone from a member of the audience and told the police operator: "I had someone come near my underpass. He was dressed atrociously. He looked like Timmy Mallett."

When the call handler requested Brand's telephone number, he replied: "I didn't know it was a dating line. Would you be interested in going out for dinner?"

Lynda Yorke of Leicester Rape Crisis blasted Brand, stating: "I don't think it's amusing. It's in very poor taste. The issue of sexual assault is often belittled and such callous behaviour is extremely hurtful to the victims."

Northamptonshire police also slammed the comic, with a spokesman saying: "We would discourage anyone from making such hoax or frivolous calls."

Brand later apologised for making the prank call, admitting that he was "devastated by the possibility I may have offended vulnerable people".