Russell Brand appears in London court for opening of rape and sexual assault trial

Comedian Russell Brand arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday for the first day of a trial that is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks. He was escorted by security guards and accompanied by his wife, Laura Gallacher, and remains free on bail.

Brand, 51, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault involving six women. Prosecutors allege that the alleged offenses occurred between 1999 and 2009 and include accusations of raping a woman in a hotel room at a Labour Party conference, forcibly engaging a television worker in a restroom, and kissing and groping a radio station employee.

Brand rose to prominence in the early 2000s with television hosting duties, a BBC radio show and film roles such as in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.” In recent years he has relocated to Florida and built an online audience with videos covering wellness topics, conspiracy theories and his religious views.