Jury sworn in for Russell Brand trial on rape and sexual assault charges

Russell Brand has attended court for the second day of his rape and sexual assault trial and a jury has been selected in the case.

The 51-year-old comedian faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009. Brand denies all the charges.

Jury selection at Southwark crown court began on Monday morning with a warning from the judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, to ignore past reporting about Brand and allegations of sexual misconduct.

On Tuesday, eight men and four women were sworn in for the trial, which is expected to last six weeks. The jurors were sent away until Wednesday morning when the prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC is expected to open the case. One reserve juror was selected to sit through the prosecution opening.

The judge told the jurors not to discuss the case or carry out any research.

“Heaven knows what’s out there,” Bennathan said on Tuesday. “If you want to, you could go and have a look – but only once you have returned your verdicts.”

Brand arrived at court just after 9.20am and said “blessed, thank you very much” in the direction of photographers and members of the press.

He wore a double-breasted grey suit, an unbuttoned shirt with a long tie, brown boots and sunglasses.

Flanked by his security guard, Brand looked at the cameras before taking off his sunglasses as he walked up the steps towards the central London courthouse. His wife, Laura Gallacher, who was by his side for the first day on Monday, did not accompany Brand on Tuesday morning.

Brand became a British television personality in the 2000s, presenting shows and events such as the 2007 Brit awards, Comic Relief and the MTV video music awards. He also hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2.

He made the move into Hollywood films with roles in the comedy Get Him to the Greek and the 2012 musical comedy Rock of Ages. He was married to the American pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.