Russell Brand: Jury sworn in ahead of rape and sexual assault trial

A jury of eight men and four women has been sworn in for Russell’s Brand’s trial for rape and sexual assault charges.

The actor and comedian, 51, denies crimes against six women between 1999 and 2009, including groping them and forcing them into sexual acts.

He said “blessed, thank you very much” to waiting photographers as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court, wearing a grey double-breasted suit, an unbuttoned shirt and sunglasses.

He was flanked by his security guard but his wife, Laura Gallacher, who was by his side for Monday’s hearing, did not accompany Mr Brand outside court on Tuesday morning.

Mr Brand stood in the dock as the jury panel of 12 were sworn in, along with one reserve juror.

The judge started with 50 prospective jurors on Monday, before swiftly excusing six who said they had either seen a Channel 4 documentary or read a newspaper article in 2023 concerning allegations about Mr Brand.

“About three years ago, there was a TV programme and was a long article in the Times newspaper in which some allegations were made against him of sexual misconduct,” the judge said.

“They were allegations he firmly denied. The jury in this trial will hear something about that programme and the allegations in the programme and the newspaper article.

“But we, the lawyers and the judge, all agree if any of you remember as you stand here today watching the Channel 4 documentary or remember reading the article in the Times about three years ago, please put a hand up now.”

Mr Brand denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assaults and one allegation of indecent assault, made by six women.

The star is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker, previous hearings were told.

Essex-born comic’s showbiz career took off when he was picked to front Big Brother spin-off shows by Channel 4.

He became one of Britain’s best-known comedians in the 2000s and won presenting roles including the 2007 Brit Awards, Comic Relief and the MTV Music Video Awards, and hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2.

He made the move into Hollywood films with roles including an Arthur remake, comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall and 2012 musical comedy Rock Of Ages.

In recent years, he has pivoted to podcasting and online influencing, and now lives in Florida in the United States.