Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault

Russell BrandCredit: James Manning/PA Images/Getty
Russell Brand
Credit: James Manning/PA Images/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Russell Brand reportedly appeared in court for the first day of proceedings in his rape and sexual assault trial
  • Brand has denied the allegations
  • The trial is expected to last 10 weeks in a London courtroom

Russell Brand appeared in court in London for the first day of proceedings in his rape and sexual assault trial.

The Associated Press and The New York Times reported that Brand appeared Monday, Oct. 12, for jury selection.

Brand is charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, PEOPLE previously reported.

Per the AP and the N.Y. Times, the alleged incidents occurred between 1999 and 2009.

The comedian and actor has pleaded not guilty.

Initial sexual assault allegations against Brand, 51, first surfaced in 2023 in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and current affairs show Dispatches, which spoke to five women.

Metropolitan Police began an investigation following the publication of the report.

On Monday, the AP reported that Brand was seen leaving court, holding hands with his wife, Laura Gallacher.

The trial is expected to last 10 weeks, the AP reported, and the prosecution is expected to open its case later this week.

According to the N.Y. Times, Judge Joel Bennathan said he would swear in the jury Tuesday, Oct. 13.

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Brand has consistently denied the allegations he has faced.

“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord,” Brand said in a video posted to X  in April 2025. “I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile. But what I never was was a rapist.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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