Jury selection begins in Russell Brand trial over rape and sexual assault allegations

London, United Kingdom. Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of British comedian and actor Russell Brand, who faces allegations of rape and other historical sexual offences. He denies every accusation.

Charges involving six women

Brand, 51, faces three rape charges, three sexual assault charges and one charge of indecent assault. The allegations concern six women and span 1999 to 2009.

He reached Southwark Crown Court in London accompanied by his wife and wearing sunglasses. While seated in the dock during the hearing, he generally looked ahead or kept his eyes shut.

Judge sets restrictions for jurors

Judge Joel Bennathan told prospective jurors that Brand’s trial was about to begin and acknowledged that many would recognise his name.

He ruled out anyone who said they had seen a documentary broadcast roughly three years earlier or read a lengthy newspaper article published around that time. Both contained sexual misconduct allegations against Brand, which the judge said the defendant firmly denied.

Addressing those provisionally selected, Bennathan stressed Brand’s public prominence and instructed them not to research him in any way.

The judge said proceedings were expected to run for approximately six weeks. Jurors are due to take their oaths on Tuesday, with the prosecution scheduled to present its opening case later that week.

Broadcasting and film career

Previously among Britain’s most prominent broadcasters, Brand became familiar to television audiences during the 2000s and presented radio programmes for the BBC. He was known for his flamboyant appearance and style.

His subsequent film roles included Get Him to the Greek, released in 2010. That year, he married US singer Katy Perry. Their divorce followed in 2012, after a marriage lasting 14 months.