Become an Independent member to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Join today

Already a member? Log in

Russell Brand has appeared in court for a hearing ahead of his rape and sexual assault trial.

The 51-year-old comedian and actor has been accused by six women over alleged sexual abuse incidents spanning from 1999 to 2009.

He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault.

On Tuesday, Brand made no comment arrived at Southwark Crown Court in a black Mercedes for the first of two days of pre-trial hearings.

Brand, who wore sunglasses and a grey suit, was accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher, in a yellow suit as he walked slowly past members of the media.

open image in gallery

He stayed silent on his entry to court, accompanied by a bodyguard who was spotted holding a Bible.

The two days of legal argument are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of his trial next week, which is expected to last up to ten weeks.

As he left the court in the afternoon, one of the onlookers shouted: “Praise the Lord, Russell Brand”, and he replied: “God bless you for saying that.”

open image in gallery

Previous hearings have heard that Brand, who denies all the allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.

Brand became one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians in the 2000s, presented spin-off shows for TV’s Big Brother and starred in a series of Hollywood films. In recent years, he has pivoted to podcasting and online influencing.

Brand, who lives in Florida but also has an address in Oxfordshire, is on bail during the criminal proceedings.