Russell Brand Trial Begins for Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
Comedian denies all allegations leveled by six women over a decade.
Russell Brand is set to face trial at Southwark Crown Court, where he denies seven charges including three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. The accusations stem from six women and span a period from 1999 to 2009.
The trial, which is expected to last up to ten weeks, commenced with jury selection on October 12, 2026. Brand appeared at the central London courthouse for a pre-trial hearing on October 6, accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher.
Brand, an Essex-born comedian, actor, and podcaster, began his career in stand-up comedy before gaining wider recognition through presenting roles on shows like Big Brother spin-offs, the Brit Awards, Comic Relief, and the MTV Music Video Awards. He also hosted a show on BBC Radio 2. His transition to Hollywood included roles in films such as "Arthur," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and "Rock of Ages." In recent years, he has focused on podcasting and online influence, and currently resides in Florida.
Previous hearings have detailed the accusations, which Brand has consistently denied. The charges include allegations of raping a woman in a hotel room, grabbing a TV worker's breasts and forcing unwanted sexual acts, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.
The case is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan. The hearing was scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM on October 12, 2026. The Daily Mail is providing live coverage of the proceedings.