Russell Brand live updates: Comedian arrives at crown court to enter pleas over rape and sexual assault charges

Court 2 at Southwark Crown Court is packed full of journalists from around the world – some of whom queued outside the courtroom since the building opened at 8.30am.

Brand’s father, Ron, is sitting in the well of the court next to a friend.

Russell Brand said nothing to the waiting media, some of whom called out his name as he walked into Southwark Crown Court.

Brand, who has converted to Christianity, had a small golden cross around his neck, and wore a long dark coat over a black and white pinstriped shirt.

He was flanked by his lawyer, Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who previously successfully defended the actor Kevin Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023. Sikorsky can be seen on the right in the last picture above.

Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court for his plea hearing.

He arrived in a black Mercedes Benz, which drew up outside the court before photographers and broadcasters ducked and dived amongst each other to get images of the star as he came in.

Dressed in black in an open shirt, and wearing gold sunglasses, Brand said nothing to the waiting media as he walked inside.

The media were kept clear of the entrance by police officers and metal fencing either side of the court entrance.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police charged Brand – who lives in Florida – by post with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four different women, and issued a court summons.

The alleged incidents took place between 1999 and 2005.

He is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.

Essex-born Brand was also charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005. Both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster.

Criminal charges were brought against Brand following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

He has denied any wrongdoing in public statements – but will enter formally pleas to the charges today.

Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage as Russell Brand is set to appear in court to enter pleas over charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 49-year-old is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) this morning.

He was accused of multiple sex offences and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.

Brand has denied any wrongdoing and said all his sexual relationships were consensual.

Stick with us for the latest updates with the Mail’s crime correspondent George Odling reporting from Southwark Crown Court alongside Jon Brady and Jamie Bullen in London.