Russell Brand's Rape Trial Delayed Until October

British comedian and actor Russell Brand's trial on seven charges of rape and sexual assault has been delayed until October, as announced by a London judge. The charges relate to six women and alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009.

The preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court took place on Monday, with Brand not required to attend. He pleaded not guilty to all seven charges: three counts of rape and four counts of indecent or sexual assault. The trial was initially scheduled for June but was delayed due to two additional offenses charged in December.

Judge Joel Bennathan stated the trial would now commence in October and is expected to last up to eight weeks. Brand, once a prominent figure on British television and radio, rose to fame in the 2000s with his flamboyant style and appearances on shows like Big Brother's Big Mouth. He also starred in films such as Get Him to the Greek (2010) and was married to US singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.

In recent years, Brand has shifted his focus to podcasting and online content, often discussing US politics and free speech. The trial's delay comes amid detailed allegations involving multiple women, with specific incidents described in court hearings. Brand maintains his innocence and was granted bail during the proceedings.