Russell Brand has appeared in court this morning for a two-day pre-trial hearing, ahead of a major criminal trial involving rape allegations dating back more than a decade.
The comedian and actor arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London roughly an hour before the scheduled hearing in a black Mercedes.
He did not speak to reporters gathered outside the court, but was photographed wearing a grey suit, an open-necked white shirt and sunglasses.
Today’s hearing is expected to run for two days, before the full trial commences next Monday.
Proceedings are expected to continue for some 10 to 12 weeks and are likely to attract significant media attention both in the UK and globally.
Mr Brand has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges against him.
These comprise three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
The allegations have been made by six individual women and relate to incidents alleged to have taken place between 1999 and 2009.
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The 50-year-old is currently on bail and has previously appeared at hearings in London, where he has also denied the allegations.
The investigation into Mr Brand began more than two years ago, following a joint investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times.
Once a regular presence on British television, he has also appeared in Hollywood films including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek.
In recent years, he has increasingly used online platforms, including Rumble, to communicate directly with his audience and discuss his world views.
The trial commences on Monday October 12.
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