Russell Brand Appears in London Court for Rape and Sexual Assault Trial
Comedian Russell Brand faces trial on rape and sexual assault charges in London. Court proceedings begin as he denies all allegations.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — British comedian and actor Russell Brand appeared in a London court on Monday for the start of his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault.
The hearing at Southwark Crown Court was adjourned until Tuesday after a morning of jury selection. The prosecution is set to open its case later in the week. Brand, who is on bail, left the court building beside the River Thames holding hands with his wife, Laura Gallacher. He had earlier arrived at court flanked by security guards and accompanied by his wife.
Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The charges involve six women and alleged offenses between 1999 and 2009. The trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks. Prosecutors said at previous hearings that Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at a Labour Party conference, grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
