Russell Brand to face jury as high-profile rape and sexual assault trial begins
Russell Brand is set to appear in court on Monday as his trial, on charges of rape and sexual assault, gets under way.
The comedian, actor and podcaster is facing a raft of allegations from six women, spanning the years 1999 to 2009.
The 51-year-old is accused of groping women and forcing them into sexual acts, including grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.
He is also accused of raping a woman in a Bournemouth hotel room at a Labour Party conference.
Brand has been charged with three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault.
He is due to appear in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, for the start of a trial that could last up to 10 weeks.
It is expected that the process of jury selection will begin on Monday morning.
Brand was supported by his wife, Laura Gallacher, when he appeared at the same court on Tuesday last week for a pre-trial hearing.
He made no comment as he arrived in a black Mercedes.
As he left the court in the afternoon, an onlooker shouted shouted: “Praise the Lord, Russell Brand”, and he replied: “God bless you for saying that.”
Brand was born in Essex and began his career as a stand-up comedian.
His showbusiness career took off when he was picked to front Big Brother spin-off shows by Channel 4.
He became one of the UK’s best-known comedians in the 2000s and won presenting roles including the 2007 Brit Awards, Comic Relief and the MTV Music Video Awards. He also hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2.
He made the move into Hollywood films with roles including an Arthur remake, the comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and the 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.
Brand, who pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings, is on bail.
His case is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan, with Monday’s hearing set to start at 9.30am.
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