Russell Brand denies seven charges as rape trial opens

Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London on 12 October 2026 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 counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, charges brought by six women covering alleged conduct between 1999 and 2009.bbc.co.uk+1

Brand pleaded not guilty to all seven charges during pre-trial hearings and remains on bail. The trial, overseen by High Court judge Justice Bennathan, was set to begin with jury selection on Monday morning and could last up to 10 weeks. The allegations span 10 years, from 1999 to 2009, and involve six women.

What the charges allege

The charges Brand faces are three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. The alleged offences occurred between 1999 and 2009. Brand denies all seven charges. The case involves six women making the allegations, and he entered his not-guilty pleas at pre-trial hearings before the trial opened.

Previous hearings have been told Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, grabbing a TV worker's breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker. These allegations were heard at earlier hearings in the case.

Brand arrived outside Southwark Crown Court in a black Mercedes at around 8.45am local time, waiting a few minutes before leaving the vehicle. Flanked by security and accompanied by his wife Laura Gallacher, he said nothing to the press as he walked into the courthouse. Once inside, he and his legal team were ushered into a private room near the courtroom.

How the trial will run

Jury selection was expected to begin on Monday morning, with the hearing set to start at 9.30am. The trial could last up to 10 weeks. The case is overseen by High Court judge Justice Bennathan. Brand is on bail and pleaded not guilty to all charges during pre-trial hearings. Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and became a household name hosting Big Brother's Big Mouth and other Big Brother spin-off shows for Channel 4. He also presented the 2007 Brit Awards, Comic Relief and the MTV Music Video Awards, and hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2.

Brand went on to a Hollywood career, starring in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, an Arthur remake and the 2012 musical comedy Rock of Ages. In recent years he has pivoted to podcasting and online influencing, and now lives in Florida in the United States. Brand was supported by his wife Laura Gallacher when he appeared at the central London courthouse for a pre-trial hearing the previous week. At the trial's start on 12 October 2026, a large media presence gathered outside the court. Brand arrived wearing a grey suit, white unbuttoned shirt, brown neckerchief, brown boots and sunglasses, which he removed as he passed the press cameras. The trial at Southwark Crown Court is expected to last up to 10 weeks, with jury selection beginning Monday morning. The alleged offences span 10 years, from 1999 to 2009, and involve six women. Brand denies all seven charges and has pleaded not guilty during pre-trial hearings.