Russell Brand on trial in London on rape and assault charges

Comedian Russell Brand arrived at a London court Monday for the start of his criminal trial. The legal proceeding addresses multiple charges of rape and sexual assault filed against the entertainer.

Security guards flanked Brand outside Southwark Crown Court. His wife, Laura Gallacher, walked beside him. The court proceeding will last 10 to 12 weeks.

Brand is 51 years old. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remained free on bail ahead of the trial.

The charges include three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He also faces one count of indecent assault. The offenses relate to six women.

The acts allegedly took place between 1999 and 2009. Prosecutors described the allegations during earlier London hearings. Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at a Labour Party conference.

Prosecutors also accused him of grabbing a TV worker’s breasts. He then allegedly forced her into a sex act in a toilet. Prosecutors said he kissed and groped a radio worker.

Brand rose to fame during the early 2000s. He was known for stand-up comedy and battles with drugs and alcohol. He hosted television programs and had a BBC radio show.

His film credits include “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.” In recent years, he left mainstream media and moved to Florida. He built an online following with videos about wellness, conspiracy theories and religion.

British law protects the identities of victims of alleged sexual violence for life. Crown courts in London handle serious criminal cases before a judge and jury.

Brand denies every charge. The trial continues.