Russell Brand trial liveblog: Latest updates as comedian arrives at court with his wife as he faces charges of rape and sexual assault after accusations by six women

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER

Updated: 07:42 BST, 12 October 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:

Who is the judge in Russell Brand's case?

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.

Will Russell Brand appear in court today?

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).

Who is Russell Brand?

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.

What is Russell Brand accused of doing?

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.

Daily Mail's live coverage as Russell Brand goes on trial

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.