Overview
- Brand’s case, which the judge consolidated Monday, will now open Oct. 12 at Southwark Crown Court and is expected to run about two months.
- The judge said a June start risked running out of court time and made it harder to seat jurors through the start of school summer holidays.
- Prosecutors have brought seven historical charges involving six women, including three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault from 1999 to 2009.
- Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges, was not in court for the scheduling hearing, remains on bail, and has a two‑day pre‑trial hearing set for June 16–17.
- The Metropolitan Police began investigating after 2023 media reports and say their inquiry continues as complainants receive support from specialist officers.