Jury Selection to Start in Russell Brand Sexual Assault Trial

Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday morning for the start of his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault. The 51-year-old comedian and actor faces three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault, said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial, which could last up to ten weeks, is expected to begin with jury selection. Brand arrived wearing a navy suit and sunglasses, accompanied by his wife, Laura. A large media presence gathered at the court for the opening of proceedings.

Brand rose to fame as a stand-up comedian before becoming a household name as host of television programmes including Big Brother's Big Mouth, and through his own radio shows on stations such as BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. He went on to establish a Hollywood career, starring in films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. In recent years he has turned to podcasting and now lives in Florida in the United States.