Russell Brand jury begins deliberations on seven sexual offence charges

The jury in the sexual offences trial of British comedian and actor Russell Brand has begun considering its verdict at Southwark Crown Court in London. Brand faces seven charges involving six women over alleged incidents between 1999 and 2009. He has denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty. Reports by Reuters, the Associated Press and British media outlets say the jury was sent to deliberate on November 3, following several weeks of evidence and closing arguments from both sides. The 12-member jury, comprising eight men and four women, was instructed to reach a unanimous decision on each of the seven charges. Judge Joel Bennathan completed his summing-up of the case before sending the jurors out to consider the evidence. However, they deliberated for only about an hour on Tuesday before being sent home for the night.