The trial of comedian Russell Brand on seven charges of rape and sexual assault has been postponed from June to October

LONDON: The trial of British comedian and actor Russell Brand on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault has been delayed.

A judge at Southwark Crown Court ruled on Monday that the trial will now begin in October and is expected to last up to eight weeks.

Brand faces seven charges relating to six women, which include three counts of rape and four counts of indecent or sexual assault.

The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2009.

Brand, 50, had been due to stand trial in June on five of the charges.

The trial date was moved after he was charged in December with two additional offences.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was not required to attend Monday’s preliminary hearing.

Brand was a prominent broadcaster and television personality in Britain during the 2000s.

He is also known for his former marriage to US singer Katy Perry, which lasted from 2010 to 2012.

In recent years, Brand has largely retreated from mainstream media to focus on online content.

 The Sun Malaysia