RUSSELL BRAND GOES ON TRIAL FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges, accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher. He arrived in a black Mercedes shortly before 8.45am and said nothing to reporters as he walked into the courthouse, removing his sunglasses as he passed press cameras. He and his legal team were then taken to a private room near the courtroom. Jury selection is due to begin on Monday, with the trial expected to last up to ten weeks. Brand denies all the charges against him.

The charges comprise three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault, brought by six women over claims spanning 1999 to 2009. Previous hearings have heard that Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room during a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, grabbing a television worker's breasts and forcing her into a sexual act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker. Brand, who was born in Essex, began his career as a stand-up comedian and rose to prominence after fronting Big Brother spin-off programmes for Channel 4. He went on to present the Brit Awards, Comic Relief and the MTV Music Video Awards, and later appeared in Hollywood films including a remake of Arthur and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Brand pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings and remains on bail. High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan is overseeing the case, with Monday's hearing scheduled to start at 9am. Brand has moved away from mainstream broadcasting in recent years towards podcasting and online content. He now lives in Florida in the United States.