The British comedian is charged with two rapes and three cases of assault, which allegedly took place between 1999 and 2005.
Russell Brand did not speak to the journalists gathered outside the court in southern London, but went straight into the building. When the presiding judge asked him how he pleaded to each of the five charges, Brand replied each time:
Not guilty.
Brand continues to be free on bail, and it will be a while before the trial continues. The main hearing in the case will not be until June 3 next year, according to the BBC.
In 2023, the Sunday Times newspaper and the TV company Channel 4 published a joint investigation, in which several women came forward and claimed that Brand had assaulted them in the UK and Los Angeles.
This triggered a police investigation. Brand has consistently denied the allegations.
Russell Brand, who turns 50 on June 4, began his career as a comedian and radio presenter in the UK before his big breakthrough in Hollywood films such as "Dumped", "Get him to the Greek" and "Rock of Ages" over 15 years ago. Between 2010 and 2012, he was married to artist Katy Perry.
