Russell Brand allowed to sit with lawyers in pre trial hearing

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has appeared in court ahead of his rape and sexual assault trial next week. Brand, 51, faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women from 1999 to 2009. The podcaster, wearing a grey suit jacket and sunglasses, did not have to sit in the dock and was allowed to sit with his lawyers at the hearing at Southwark Crown Court today. Brand earlier denied two charges…