Russell Brand‘s rape trial has officially commenced.
Brand entered Southwark Crown Court on Monday wearing a gray suit, an open-neck white shirt, and a patterned cravat. He was accompanied by his wife, Laura, clasping her hand as he entered the building.
Brand faces three charges of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one charge of indecent assault. The allegations come from six women and span a decade from 1999 to 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The opening day of Brand’s trial will likely focus on jury selection and other administrative matters, with the Crown Prosecution Service expected to start making its case from Tuesday at the earliest.
The trial, which could last 10 weeks, is being overseen by Mr Justice Bennathan, who has presided over high-profile cases during his time as a judge, including the conviction of Kyle Clifford, who killed his ex-girlfriend, her sister and her mother in a crossbow attack. The women were the wife and daughters of BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt.
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Brand appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. Before his work in Hollywood, he was a regular fixture on British television, hosting Big Brother’s Big Mouth and other series.
The actor and comedian, who was married to Katy Perry, has reinvented himself as a Christian convert who evangelizes about free speech and free thinking in MAGA America.