Russell Brand arrives at court – video

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER and REBECCA CAMBER, CRIME AND SECURITY EDITOR Updated: 09:41 12 Oct 2026

Russell Brand will go on trial for rape and sexual assault today after being accused by six women of sexual abuse allegations spanning ten years from 1999 to 2009.

Follow the Daily Mail’s liveblog for all the updates from Southwark Crown Court:

Russell Brand has now entered the dock of Southwark Crown Court, wearing a grey suit, white shirt and grey cravat.

His wife Laura is sitting in the public gallery next to his bodyguard.

The press seats directly behind the dock are full.

Two court security guards have been stationed by the entrance of the court.

Russell Brand and Laura Gallacher were protected by a security guard as they walked into court this morning.

Russell Brand has been accompanied upon his arrival to Southwark Crown Court by his wife Laura Gallacher, whom he married in August 2017.

Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court with his wife Laura Gallacher, ahead of his trial starting today.

Brand's case is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan (pictured during another case).

Today’s hearing at Southwark Crown Court is set to start at 9.30am.

Brand is due to appear in the dock at Southwark Crown Court for the start of his trial today.

It is expected the process of jury selection will commence this morning, for a trial which could last up to ten weeks.

He was supported by his wife Laura Gallacher when he appeared at the central London courthouse on Tuesday last week for a pre-trial hearing (pictured).

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

He became one of Britain’s best-known comedians in the 2000s and won presenting roles including 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 Forgetting Sarah Marshall and 2012 musical comedy Rock of Ages.

In recent years, he has pivoted to podcasting and online influencing, and now lives in Florida.

Previous hearings have heard Brand, who denies all the allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, 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.

Brand pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings.

Good morning and welcome to the Daily Mail's live coverage as Russell Brand goes on trial for rape and sexual assault today.

The 51-year-old comedian, actor and podcaster has been accused by six women of sexual abuse allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.

He denies all the charges at Southwark Crown Court: three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault. Brand's case is expected to last up to ten weeks.

Stay with us throughout the day for live updates.