Russell Brand rape trial hears first complainant's account in London

Russell Brand's trial concerns alleged sexual offences against six women between 1999 and 2009. The actor and comedian, 51, denies all the allegations, according to World News CNA.

He has pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault, Express & Star reported. The proceedings are taking place at Southwark Crown Court in London.

On October 12, Brand appeared in court as jury selection began. The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday after a morning spent selecting jurors, according to Global News.

On October 13, a jury of eight men and four women was sworn in, GB News reported. An earlier preview from the Sydney Morning Herald had said a 14-person jury would be sworn in. The reports differ on that number; the later report described the completed selection.

Prosecutors opened their case on October 14. A prosecutor alleged Brand had behaved as a "ruthless" sexual predator in assaults against six women over a decade, according to NBC News. Those descriptions are prosecution allegations, not findings by the jury.

The defence position is that the sexual contact was consensual. The Daily Mail reported that Brand suggested his accusers had "reimagined" the encounters after seeing media reports about his alleged misconduct.

On October 15, the court began hearing the first complainant's account of an alleged rape at the 1999 Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, Variety reported. She alleges Brand raped her in her hotel room after asking her to take photographs of him in his underwear, according to Deadline.

The first complainant's evidence is now being examined. The Hollywood Reporter reported that her recorded police interview was played in court, including her account of feeling "dirty" afterward and fearing she was pregnant.

She testified from behind a screen, out of view of Brand and the media, and faced lengthy cross-examination by his defence lawyer, according to NDTV. Brand continues to deny the allegations. The trial remains ongoing, with no verdict reported.

The next stage is the continued examination of the allegations and the defence's challenge to the evidence. The trial was expected to take up to ten weeks, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The jury must determine whether the charges are proved.