Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London for the start of his criminal trial.
The former actor and comedian has been accused of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
The charges were brought by the UK Crown Prosecution Service (similar to a prosecutor) in April and December last year.
The charges in April are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 and involved four women. Additional charges brought in December relate to two more women and are said to have occurred in 2009.
The charges were brought following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Brand pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Brand arrived in court Monday wearing a gray suit and sunglasses. He was accompanied by his wife Laura Gallacher, whom he married in 2017. The trial, whose outcome will be determined by 12 jurors, may last up to two months. Brand was released on bail.
Jury selection is expected to be discussed on the opening day of the trial, and opening statements from both the prosecution and defense are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.
Brand was known as a comedian and actor in the mid-2000s; She hosted shows like “Big Brother’s Big Mouth” and starred in movies like “Get Him to the Greek” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He has since turned to podcasting and online influencing.
Brand was the subject of a joint investigation in 2023 by The Sunday Times of London and the Channel 4 documentary “Dispatches”, which aired allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against him. Brand has vehemently denied the allegations.
Following the investigation, the Metropolitan Police launched its own investigation, which resulted in charges being laid last year.
“We carefully reviewed the evidence following the police investigation into the allegations made following the publication of the Channel 4, Sunday Times and Times investigation in September 2023,” CPS chief prosecutor Jaswant Narwal said at the time the initial charges were brought. “We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with crimes including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.”
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that the criminal case is active and the accused has the right to a fair trial.”