NRT briefing
Russell Brand arrives at court for start of rape trial
Based on reporting by BBC News.
The Brief
Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges. The 51-year-old comedian and actor denies three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, allegedly committed between 1999 and 2009.
Brand pleaded not guilty during pre-trial hearings. Jury selection was expected to begin that morning, with the trial potentially lasting up to ten weeks. He arrived wearing a navy suit and sunglasses with his wife Laura, amid a large media presence.
Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and TV host, including Big Brother's Big Mouth, later starring in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall before turning to podcasting and relocating to Florida.