Russell Brand's wife joins him at Southwark court as rape trial is set to begin Monday

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

Russell Brand, 51, appeared at Southwark Crown Court for two days of pre-trial hearings this week, with wife Laura Gallacher at his side — her first public appearance since he was charged. Brand arrived in a black Mercedes wearing a grey three-piece suit and told a supporter "God bless you" as he left court on Tuesday. His trial — on three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one allegation of indecent assault — is due to begin on Monday October 12 and is expected to last up to 10 weeks.

Brand faces accusations from six women of sexual abuse spanning a decade between 1999 and 2009 — he denies all charges.

Among the allegations is that he raped a woman at a hotel during the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.

Gallacher, who has kept out of the public eye throughout the legal proceedings, walked out of court beside him, with private security flanking the couple on both sides.