Brand’s trial on rape, sex assault charges delayed

British actor and comedian Russell Brand’s trial on seven charges of rape and sexual assault against six women will take place in October, a London judge said.

Brand, once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters and the ex-husband of US singer Katy Perry, was not required to attend a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday and did not attend.

He has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges: three counts of rape and four counts of indecent or sexual assault, allegedly committed between 1999 and 2009.

Brand, 50, was expected to stand trial on five charges in June and was charged with two additional crimes in December.

Judge Joel Bennathan said the trial would begin in October and last up to eight weeks.

Brand was a regular on British screens in the 2000s.

He was known for his flamboyant style and appearance and also worked as a radio presenter for the BBC.

In 2010, the year she married Perry, she appeared in many films, including Get Him to the Greek.

They divorced in 2012 after 14 months of marriage.

Brand distanced himself from mainstream culture in the early 2020s and has been publishing his views on US politics and free speech largely online ever since.