Prosecution to open case in Russell Brand rape trial

Prosecutors are set to open their case against Russell Brand as he faces trial in London on charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 51-year-old actor and comedian is accused of groping women and forcing them into sexual acts, in allegations dating from 1999 to 2009.

A jury was selected at Southwark Crown Court across two days on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC is due to open the case against Brand.

He faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault, allegedly committed against six women.

Brand denies all the charges.

Previous court hearings have been told how Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.

It is said he grabbed a TV worker’s breasts and forced her into a sex act in a toilet, and allegedly kissed and groped a radio station worker.

The Essex-born entertainer started out as a stand-up comedian and his showbiz career took off when he was picked to front Big Brother spin-off shows on Channel 4.

He became one of Britain’s best-known comedians in the 2000s and presented the 2007 Brit Awards, Comic Relief and the MTV Music Video Awards, and hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2.

He made the move into Hollywood films with roles including an Arthur remake, comedy Get Him To The Greek and 2012 musical comedy Rock Of Ages.

In recent years, he has moved into podcasting and online influencing, and now lives in Florida in the United States.

Brand was supported at court on Monday by his wife Laura Gallacher.

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