British actor and comedian Russell Brand will stand trial in October over multiple rape and sexual assault charges involving six women, a London court has confirmed.
A judge at Southwark Crown Court on Monday scheduled the trial to begin in October, where proceedings are expected to last up to eight weeks. Brand, 50, was not required to attend the preliminary hearing and did not appear in court.
The former television and film star has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges against him. The allegations include three counts of rape and four counts of indecent or sexual assault, with the incidents said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.
Brand had originally been due to face trial in June over five charges. However, the case was expanded after prosecutors filed two additional charges in December, prompting the court to move the trial date and allow more time for preparation.
Once one of Britain’s most recognizable media personalities, Brand rose to fame in the 2000s as a flamboyant television presenter and radio host for the BBC. His outspoken style and distinctive persona made him a regular fixture on British entertainment programs during that era.
He also built a career in Hollywood, starring in several films including the 2010 comedy “Get Him to the Greek.” That same year he married American pop star Katy Perry, though the couple divorced in 2012 after 14 months of marriage.
In recent years, Brand has largely stepped away from mainstream entertainment and instead built a large online following, where he frequently discusses political issues, free speech debates and cultural topics.
The upcoming trial will examine allegations made by six women, with prosecutors expected to present evidence relating to incidents that allegedly occurred during the peak of Brand’s career.