Russell Brand Rape Trial Opens at Southwark Crown Court — SkimNews
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- Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court for the start of his trial on three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.
- The trial at Southwark Crown Court could last up to 10 weeks, with jury selection expected to begin Monday morning amid a large media presence at the court.
- Brand pleaded not guilty to all charges during pre-trial hearings and arrived wearing a navy suit and sunglasses, accompanied by his wife Laura.
- Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and host of Big Brother's Big Mouth and BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music programs, then built a Hollywood career starring in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
- Brand now lives in Florida and has turned to podcasting in recent years.
Why it matters: Seven charges spanning 1999-2009 cover Brand's rise from BBC comedy circuits to Hollywood leading-man roles, putting conduct at every stage of his ascent to fame under sustained courtroom scrutiny. A not-guilty plea and 10-week projected duration anchor a long-running proceeding with heavy media attention.
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